Apparatus and method for treating the skin

ABSTRACT

A device for treating the skin comprises a handpiece assembly having a distal end and a proximal end, a cartridge comprising an interior cavity and a tip on the distal end of the handpiece assembly. The handpiece assembly includes a fluid delivery conduit and a waste conduit. In addition, the cartridge is coupled to the handpiece assembly with the interior cavity of the cartridge being in fluid communication with the fluid delivery conduit. Further, the tip is configured to contact the skin. The tip comprises a peripheral lip, a first opening in fluid communication with the fluid delivery conduit, a second opening in fluid communication with the waste conduit and an abrasive element. The first opening, the second opening and the abrasive element of the tip are generally positioned within the peripheral lip.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) ofU.S. Provisional Application No. 61/024,504, filed Jan. 29, 2008, theentirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Inventions

This application relates generally to skin treatment, and morespecifically, to apparatuses, systems and methods for treating aperson's skin.

2. Description of the Related Art

Abrasion of the outer layer or epidermis of the skin is desirable tosmooth or blend scars, blemishes or other skin conditions that may becaused by, for example, sun exposure, acne, other skin disorders, agingand/or the like. Standard techniques used to abrade the skin havegenerally been separated into two fields that are commonly referred toas dermabrasion and microdermabrasion. In both techniques, portions ofthe epidermis (e.g., the stratum corneum) are removed. As part of itsnormal regeneration function, the body then replaces the lost skincells, resulting in a new outer layer of skin. Additionally, despite themild edema and erythema associated with the procedures, the skineventually looks and feels smoother than prior to the treatment becauseof the new outer layer of skin.

Dermabrasion generally refers to a procedure in which the outer surfaceof the skin is removed due to mechanical rubbing by a handpiece with anabrasive element that is often in the form of a burr, wheel, disc or thelike. This process tends to be messy and painful, sometimesnecessitating the administration of a local anesthetic to the personbeing treated. In general, dermabrasion leaves the skin red andraw-looking. The removed skin can take several months to regrow andheal. Recent efforts have led to the use of lasers instead of abrasiveelements, resulting in less bleeding. However, the pain and messiness ofsuch procedures normally remain.

Efforts have been made to decrease the mess caused by the process waste,such as, for example, removed skin, blood, other debris and the like, byadding a suction element. As the process waste is drawn into the suctionopening, skin that has not been removed is also pulled against the gritsurrounding the suction opening, so the procedure remains relativelymessy due to the abrasion that takes place outside of the handpiece bythe grit.

In general, microdermabrasion refers generally to a procedure in whichthe surface of the skin is removed by mechanical rubbing using ahandpiece that can discharge a stream of sand or grit. For example, ahandpiece can be used to direct a fluid containing crystals of aluminumoxide, sodium chloride and/or sodium bicarbonate. The velocity andmomentum of the grit helps wear away cell layers of the skin with eachpass of the handpiece. Alternatively, new “crystal-free”microdermabrasion techniques utilize a diamond-tipped handpiece withouta stream of grit.

Efforts to add a suction element have been more successful inmicrodermabrasion than in dermabrasion, because the handpiece applyingthe stream of grit is more controllable to a localized area. That is, asthe removed skin is drawn into the suction opening, skin that has notbeen removed is also pulled towards the handpiece where it is treatedwith the grit stream, allowing for simultaneous local treatment andsuction.

Microdermabrasion typically removes moisture from the skin. Thus, theprocedure is generally followed by the application of moisturizingcreams, other agents and/or other materials. However, similar to topicalapplication of moisturizing creams prior to microdermabrasion, themoisturizing elements only work as deep as the active ingredients canpassively migrate through the remaining epidermis.

SUMMARY

According to certain embodiments of the present application, a handpieceassembly for treating a skin surface comprises a recess configured toreceive a cartridge or other container. The cartridge or other containercomprises one or more treatment materials, such as, for example, humangrowth factors, cytokines, soluble collagen, antioxidants, matrixproteins, serums, water (e.g., distilled, tap water, filtered, etc.),saline, other dilutants or dissolvents, vitamins, chemical exfoliationagents, lotions, soothing agents, brightening or lightening agents,peptides, acids, anesthetics, medicants, other non-active or activecompounds, other fluids or materials, combination or mixtures thereofand/or any other substance. In one embodiment, the handpiece assemblycomprises a valve or other flow control device or feature to enable auser to selectively regulate a flowrate of a treatment material throughthe handpiece assembly. In other embodiments, the cartridge or othercontainer comprises an inlet configured to be in fluid communicationwith water, saline, another dilutant or dissolvent or another fluid. Thewater, saline, another dilutant or dissolvent or another fluid isconfigured to be delivered through the inlet and to an interior of thecartridge so as to mix or combine with a treatment material containedtherein. In some embodiments, the treatment material contained withinthe cartridge or container is a liquid, solid, gel, granulated materialor concentrated solution. In some embodiments, one or more treatmentfluids are conveyed from an outlet of the cartridge or container to atip attached to a distal end of the handpiece assembly.

According to other embodiments, a treatment material disposed on or nearthe tip of the handpiece assembly is configured to be mixed or combinedwith water, saline or another fluid being delivered through thehandpiece assembly to create a treatment fluid. In certain embodiments,the treatment material is provided as a solid, semi-solid, gel,granulated material or concentrated fluid or solution. In somearrangements, the treatment material is positioned within a recess ofthe tip, between the tip and a main body portion of the handpieceassembly or within the main body portion of the handpiece assembly. Insome embodiments, water, saline, treatment fluid or other fluid beingconveyed through the handpiece assembly is configured to be heated.

According to certain embodiments of the present application, a devicefor treating a skin surface comprises a handpiece assembly having adistal end and a proximal end. The handpiece assembly comprises at leastone delivery conduit and at least one waste conduit. The handpieceassembly further comprising a recess or other opening configured toreceive a cartridge or other container having an interior cavity. In oneembodiment, the interior cavity of the cartridge is placed in fluidcommunication with the fluid delivery conduit when the cartridge issecured within the recess. The device additionally includes a tippositioned along the distal end of the handpiece assembly, such that thetip is configured to contact the skin surface. In certain embodiments,the tip comprises a peripheral lip, a first opening in fluidcommunication with the fluid delivery conduit and a second opening influid communication with the waste conduit and an abrasive element. Thefirst opening, the second opening and the abrasive element are generallypositioned along an interior of the peripheral lip. In one embodiment,the waste conduit is configured to be in fluid communication with avacuum to selectively remove debris away from the tip. In otherarrangements, the delivery conduit is placed in fluid communication withthe waste conduit and the vacuum when the peripheral lip contacts a skinsurface.

In certain arrangements, the device further includes a valve generallypositioned between the interior cavity of the cartridge and the fluiddelivery conduit. The valve can be adapted to control the flowrate of afluid being conveyed from the interior cavity of the cartridge to thetip. In other embodiments, the handpiece assembly comprises anadjustable intermediate space positioned generally between the interiorcavity of the cartridge and the fluid delivery conduit. In onearrangement, a volume of the adjustable intermediate space can beselectively modified by moving an actuator on the handpiece assembly. Inother configurations, the handpiece assembly comprises a stem in fluidcommunication with the fluid delivery conduit. The stem can be adaptedto extend into the interior cavity of a cartridge when the cartridge ispositioned with the recess of the handpiece assembly. In otherembodiments, the tip is selectively removable from the handpieceassembly. In one arrangement, the abrasive element comprises a pluralityof posts, other protruding members, a spiral-shaped ridge, an abrasivesurface, a foam pad, another type of pad and/or the like. In somearrangements, the device further includes a heating element configuredto selectively heat a fluid being conveyed through the delivery conduit,another interior passage or conduit of the handpiece assembly, the tip,an inlet line and/or the like. In other embodiments, the cartridgecomprises an inlet configured to be placed in fluid communication with adelivery source.

According to other arrangements, a skin treatment system includes ahandpiece assembly having a distal end and a proximal end. The handpieceassembly comprises a fluid delivery conduit. In one embodiment, thehandpiece assembly comprises a first portion and a second portion, withthe first portion being selectively movable relative to the secondportion. The skin treatment system further includes a tip adapted tocontact skin and positioned on the distal end of the handpiece assembly.In one embodiment, the tip comprises a first opening, which is in fluidcommunication with the fluid delivery conduit, and an abrasive element.The system further comprises an intermediate space generally definedbetween the first and second portions of the handpiece assembly.Movement of the first portion with respect to the second portion canmodify the volume of the intermediate space and generally control theflowrate of a fluid being conveyed through the fluid delivery conduit.In some embodiments, the system further includes an actuator on thehandpiece assembly for moving the first portion relative to the secondportion.

According to other embodiments, movement of the first portion withrespect to the second portion is produced by rotating the second portionrelative to the first portion. In some arrangements, the tip isselectively removable from the second portion. In another adaptation,the tip comprises a plurality of posts or protruding members configuredto treat skin. In other arrangements, the tip comprises one or moreridges (e.g., spiral-shaped ridges), abrasive surfaces or elementsand/or other features or components configured to treat skin. In certainembodiments, the handpiece assembly further comprises a waste channel influid communication with a second opening in the tip. In anotherembodiment, the handpiece assembly includes a recessed area configuredto receive a cartridge comprising at least one treatment fluid ormaterial. In other arrangements, the cartridge includes an interiorportion which is at least partially defined by a membrane. The membranecan be configured to be pierced by a hollow spike of the first portionof the handpiece assembly when the cartridge is properly inserted withinthe recessed area, so that the hollow spike is placed in fluidcommunication with the delivery channel. In certain configurations, theinterior portion of the cartridge comprises human growth factors,cytokines, soluble collagen, antioxidants, matrix proteins, serums,water (e.g., distilled, tap water, filtered, etc.), saline, otherdilutants or dissolvents, vitamins, chemical exfoliation agents,lotions, soothing agents, brightening or lightening agents, peptides,acids, anesthetics, medicants, other non-active or active compounds,other fluids or materials, combination or mixtures thereof and/or anyother substance. In other arrangements, the device comprises a heaterconfigured to selectively heat a fluid being conveyed through the fluiddelivery conduit toward the tip.

According to certain embodiments, a method of providing a treatmentfluid to a skin surface while treating said skin surface with ahandpiece device includes providing at least one treatment material onor within a handpiece device. In one arrangement, a tip is configured tobe removably positioned along a distal end of a main body portion of thehandpiece assembly. The tip can be adapted to abrade or otherwise treatskin when moved relative to a skin surface. The treatment methodadditionally includes directing a first fluid through a delivery passageof the handpiece assembly so that said delivery passage generallycontacts at least one treatment material of the tip. In somearrangements, the treatment material is configured to at least partiallydissolve, dilute or combine with the first fluid so as to create adesired treatment fluid. Further, the treatment fluid can be configuredto be provided to the tip and to the skin surface being treated while adistal end of the tip is being translated over said skin surface.

In some arrangements, the treatment material comprises a solid, granularmaterial, gel or concentrated solution and/or any other material. Inother embodiments, the first fluid comprises water (e.g., sterile, tap,distilled, filtered, etc.), saline, other dilutants or dissolventsand/or any other fluid. In other arrangements, the treatment fluidcomprises human growth factors, cytokines, soluble collagen,antioxidants or matrix proteins. In another embodiment, the treatmentmaterial is positioned in or near the tip, such as, for example, withina post, other protruding member, other recess, underneath the tip and/orlike. In other arrangements, the treatment material comprises a disc,tablet, capsule, granular material, gel and/or the like. In oneembodiment, the treatment material is configured to be positioned withina cage or other porous container. In other arrangements, the disc,table, capsule or other treatment material is configured to be securedgenerally between the main body portion and the tip of the handpieceassembly. In one configuration, the method further includes regulating aflowrate of the first fluid by selectively controlling a valve on thehandpiece assembly. In another arrangement, the method additionallyincludes selectively heating the first fluid using a heating memberpositioned in thermal communication with the delivery passage of thehandpiece assembly. In some embodiments, the treatment material ispositioned within a cartridge which is configured to be removablysecured to a receiving area of the handpiece assembly.

According to some embodiments disclosed in the present application, adevice for treating the skin comprises a handpiece assembly having adistal end and a proximal end, a cartridge comprising an interior cavityand a tip on the distal end of the handpiece assembly. The handpieceassembly includes a fluid delivery conduit and a waste conduit. Inaddition, the cartridge is coupled to the handpiece assembly, with theinterior cavity of the cartridge being in fluid communication with thefluid delivery conduit. Further, the tip is configured to contact theskin. The tip comprises a peripheral lip, a first opening in fluidcommunication with the fluid delivery conduit, a second opening in fluidcommunication with the waste conduit and an abrasive element. The firstopening, the second opening and the abrasive element of the tip aregenerally positioned within the peripheral lip.

In some embodiments, the device further comprising a valve positionedbetween the interior cavity of the cartridge and the fluid deliveryconduit. In one embodiment, the handpiece assembly comprises anadjustable intermediate space positioned generally between the interiorcavity of the cartridge and the fluid delivery conduit. In anotherarrangement, a volume of the adjustable intermediate space can beselectively modified by moving an actuator on the handpiece assembly. Inother embodiments, the handpiece assembly comprises a recessed areaconfigured to receive the cartridge.

According to other embodiments, the handpiece assembly comprises a stemthat is in fluid communication with the fluid delivery conduit as thestem is configured to extend into the interior cavity of a cartridgewhen the cartridge is coupled to the handpiece assembly. In anotherembodiment, the tip is selectively removable from the handpieceassembly. In some arrangements, the abrasive element comprises aplurality of protruding members. In other embodiments, the tip comprisesan abrasive edge.

According to another embodiment, a system for treating the skincomprises a handpiece assembly having a distal end and a proximal endand a tip on the distal end of the handpiece assembly configured tocontact the skin. The handpiece assembly includes a fluid deliveryconduit and first and second portions. Further, the tip includes a firstopening in fluid communication with the fluid delivery conduit and anabrasive element. An intermediate space generally defined between thefirst and second portions of the handpiece assembly is in fluidcommunication with the fluid delivery conduit. In one embodiment,movement of the first portion with respect to the second portionmodifies the volume of the intermediate space to control a flowratethrough the fluid delivery conduit. The system further comprises anactuator on the handpiece assembly for actuating movement between thefirst portion and the second portion.

In some embodiments, movement of the first portion with respect to thesecond portion is produced by rotating the second portion relative tothe first portion. In other embodiments, the tip is selectivelyremovable from the second portion. In still other arrangements, the tipcomprises a plurality of protruding members configured to treat skin. Inanother embodiment, the tip comprises an abrasive surface configured totreat skin.

According to some embodiments, the handpiece assembly further comprisesa waste channel in fluid communication with a second opening in the tip.In another arrangement, the handpiece assembly includes a recessed areaconfigured to receive a cartridge comprising at least one treatmentfluid or material. In other embodiments, the cartridge includes aninterior portion at least partially defined by a membrane. The membraneis configured to be pierced by a hollow spike of the first portion ofthe handpiece assembly. Further, the hollow spike is in fluidcommunication with the delivery channel. In one embodiment, the interiorportion of the cartridge comprises human growth factors, cytokines,soluble collagen, antioxidants and/or matrix proteins.

According to other embodiments, the present application discloses amethod for treating the skin of a patient with a skin treatment devicehaving a working end that includes an abrading structure configured toengage and abrade skin. The method includes placing the working end ofthe skin treatment device against the skin of the patient, translatingthe working end over the skin to abrade a skin surface, providing atreatment fluid to the skin through an opening in the working end andaspirating skin debris from the skin surface through an aspirationopening in the working end of the skin treatment device. In someembodiments, the treatment fluid comprises human growth factors,cytokines, soluble collagen, antioxidants and/or matrix proteins.

According to some embodiments disclosed in the present application, adevice for treating the skin comprises a handpiece assembly having adistal end and a proximal end. The handpiece assembly includes a fluiddelivery conduit and a waste conduit. In addition, the handpieceassembly is adapted to receive a cartridge having an interior cavity.Further, the device includes a tip attached to the distal end of thehandpiece assembly and comprising a surface configured to treat skin.The waste conduit is configured to be in fluid communication with avacuum source and the fluid delivery conduit is configured to be influid communication with an interior cavity of a cartridge when acartridge is secured to the handpiece assembly.

In some embodiments, the handpiece assembly comprises a flow controlfeature configured to selectively regulate a flowrate through the fluiddelivery conduit. In another arrangement, the handpiece assemblyincludes a main body portion and an adjustable portion attached to themain body portion. The flow control feature can comprise an adjustableintermediate space generally located between the main body portion andthe adjustable portion. In other embodiments, a volume of the adjustableintermediate space can be selectively modified by moving the main bodyportion relative to the adjustable portion of the handpiece assembly.

In one embodiment, the handpiece assembly comprises a recessed areaconfigured to secure a cartridge. In another arrangement, the handpieceassembly comprises a stem adapted to access an interior cavity of acartridge when a cartridge is secured to the handpiece assembly.According to some embodiments, the tip is selectively removable from thehandpiece assembly. In other embodiments, the tip comprises a pluralityof protruding members configured to treat skin. In still otherarrangements, the tip comprises an abrasive surface configured to treatskin.

According to another embodiment, a system for treating the skin includesa handpiece assembly. The handpiece assembly comprises a tip configuredto treat skin, a first portion and a second portion. The first portionincludes a delivery conduit, which has a first longitudinal axis, and isconfigured to be in fluid communication with at least one fluid source.Further, the second portion includes a distal end and a proximal end,with the proximal end being attached to the main body portion and thedistal end being attached to the tip. The second portion includes adelivery channel having a second longitudinal axis and being in fluidcommunication with the tip and the delivery conduit. In addition, thesecond portion further comprises a removal channel being in fluidcommunication with the tip and a suction source. In some embodiments, anintermediate space is generally defined between the first and secondportions of the handpiece assembly. Such an intermediate space is influid communication with the delivery conduit of the first portion andthe delivery channel of the second portion. Further, a volume of theintermediate space is configured to be adjusted by selectively modifyinga separation distance between the first portion and the second portion.Accordingly, a flowrate from a fluid source to the tip can beselectively controlled by modifying the separation distance between thefirst portion and the second portion.

In some embodiments, the separation distance between the first portionand the second portion is modified by rotating the second portionrelative to the first portion. In other arrangements, the firstlongitudinal axis of the delivery conduit is generally offset with thesecond longitudinal axis of the delivery channel. In one embodiment, thetip is selectively removable from the second portion.

According to some embodiments, the tip comprises a plurality ofprotruding members configured to treat skin. In other embodiments, thetip comprises an abrasive surface configured to treat skin. In oneembodiment, the first portion further comprises a waste channel in fluidcommunication with the removal channel of the second portion. In anotherarrangement, the first portion includes a recessed area configured toreceive a cartridge comprising at least one treatment fluid or material.In some embodiments, the cartridge includes an interior portion at leastpartially defined by a membrane which is configured to be pierced by ahollow spike of the first portion of the handpiece assembly. The hollowspike is in fluid communication with the delivery channel. According toother embodiments, the cartridge the interior portion of the cartridgecomprises human growth factors, cytokines, soluble collagen,antioxidants or matrix proteins.

According to other embodiments disclosed in the present application, amethod of treating the skin comprises providing a handpiece assemblycomprising a body and a tip having a distal end. The handpiece assemblyincludes a delivery conduit and a waste conduit that are in fluidcommunication with the distal end of the tip. The method furtherincludes placing the delivery conduit of the handpiece assembly in fluidcommunication with a fluid source for providing at least one treatmentfluid to the distal end of the tip and placing the waste conduit of thehandpiece assembly in fluid communication with a suction source forremoving waste materials from the distal end of the tip. In addition,the method comprises moving the handpiece assembly along a person's skinand activating the suction source to remove a volume of waste materialsfrom the distal end of the tip and to simultaneously deliver a volume ofthe treatment fluid to the distal end of the tip. In one embodiment, theflowrate at which treatment fluids and/or other materials are deliveredto the tip can be varied by a valve or other flow control feature of thehandpiece assembly. In some embodiments, the treatment fluid compriseshuman growth factors, cytokines, soluble collagen, antioxidants, matrixproteins, serums, water (e.g., distilled, tap water, filtered, etc.),saline, other dilutants or dissolvents, vitamins, chemical exfoliationagents, lotions, soothing agents, brightening or lightening agents(e.g., kojic acid), peptides, acids, anesthetics, medicants, othernon-active or active compounds, other fluids or materials, combinationor mixtures thereof and/or any other substance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinventions are described with reference to drawings of certain preferredembodiments, which are intended to illustrate, but not to limit, thepresent inventions. The drawings include fifty-eight (58) figures. It isto be understood that the attached drawings are for the purpose ofillustrating concepts of the present inventions and may not be to scale.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a handpiece assembly configuredfor use with a skin treatment system according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2A illustrates a side view of the handpiece assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2B illustrates an exploded side view of the handpiece assembly ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3A illustrates an exploded perspective view of the handpieceassembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3B illustrates a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the handpieceassembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4A illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of the handpieceassembly of FIG. 1 with an internal fluid delivery valve in a firstposition;

FIG. 4B illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of the handpieceassembly of FIG. 1 with an internal fluid delivery valve in a secondposition;

FIG. 4C schematically illustrates a handpiece assembly which comprises acartridge and which is in fluid communication with a vacuum sourceaccording to one embodiment;

FIG. 5A illustrates an exploded perspective view of a handpiece assemblyaccording to another embodiment;

FIG. 5B illustrates a bottom perspective view of one embodiment of a tipconfigured to be secured to the handpiece assembly of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 5C illustrates a cross-sectional view of the handpiece assembly andthe tip of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6A illustrates a side view of one embodiment of a cartridge adaptedto be inserted within a handpiece assembly;

FIG. 6B illustrates a side view of another embodiment of a cartridgeadapted to be inserted within a handpiece assembly;

FIG. 6C illustrates a front view of the cartridge of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 6D illustrates a front view of the cartridge of FIG. 6B;

FIG. 7 schematically illustrates the cartridge of FIG. 6B positionedwithin a handpiece assembly and being in fluid communication with afluid delivery system according to one embodiment;

FIG. 8A illustrates a top perspective view of one embodiment of aremovable tip configured to be placed along the distal end of ahandpiece device;

FIG. 8B illustrates a bottom perspective view of the removable tip ofFIG. 8A;

FIG. 8C illustrates a top view of the removable tip of FIG. 8A;

FIG. 8D illustrates a side view of the removable tip of FIG. 8A;

FIG. 8E illustrates a bottom view of the removable tip of FIG. 8A;

FIG. 8F illustrates a cross-sectional view of the removable tip of FIG.8A;

FIG. 9A illustrates a top perspective view of another embodiment of aremovable tip configured to be placed along the distal end of ahandpiece device;

FIG. 9B illustrates a bottom perspective view of the removable tip ofFIG. 9A;

FIG. 9C illustrates a top view of the removable tip of FIG. 9A;

FIG. 9D illustrates a side view of the removable tip of FIG. 9A;

FIG. 9E illustrates a bottom view of the removable tip of FIG. 9A;

FIG. 9F illustrates a cross-sectional view of the removable tip of FIG.9A;

FIG. 10A illustrates a top perspective view of another embodiment of aremovable tip configured to be placed along the distal end of ahandpiece device;

FIG. 10B illustrates a bottom perspective view of the removable tip ofFIG. 10A;

FIG. 10C illustrates a top view of the removable tip of FIG. 10A;

FIG. 10D illustrates a side view of the removable tip of FIG. 10A;

FIG. 10E illustrates a bottom view of the removable tip of FIG. 10A;

FIG. 10F illustrates a cross-sectional view of the removable tip of FIG.10A;

FIG. 11 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a tip comprising poststhat have been partially filled with solids, gels and/or other materialsconfigured to be mixed or combined with water, other dilutants or otherfluids, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 12A illustrates a front perspective view of one embodiment of a tipcomprising a plurality of recesses that can be selectively filledsolids, gels and/or other materials;

FIG. 12B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the tip of FIG. 12A;

FIG. 12C illustrates a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of atip comprising one or more recesses that are configured to selectivelyreceive solids, gels and/or other materials;

FIG. 13A illustrates a cross-sectional view of a tip having a cartridgeor other container comprising solids, gels and/or other materialssecured thereto, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 13B illustrates an exploded perspective view of the tip andcartridge of FIG. 13A;

FIG. 14A schematically illustrates an exploded view of a handpieceassembly, a tip and a cartridge or other container according to oneembodiment;

FIG. 14B illustrates an exploded cross-sectional view of one embodimentof a tip and a cartridge or other container comprising solids, gelsand/or other materials;

FIG. 14C illustrates a cross-sectional view of the cartridge and tip ofFIG. 14B with the cartridge secured within an interior portion of thetip according to one embodiment;

FIG. 15A illustrates an exploded cross-sectional view of anotherembodiment of a tip and a cartridge or other container comprisingsolids, gels and/or other materials;

FIG. 15B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the cartridge and tip ofFIG. 15A with the cartridge secured within an interior portion of thetip according to one embodiment;

FIG. 16A schematically illustrates an exploded view of a handpieceassembly, a tip and a cartridge or other container according to anotherembodiment;

FIG. 16B illustrates an exploded cross-sectional view of anotherembodiment of a handpiece assembly, a tip and a cartridge or othercontainer comprising solids, gels and/or other materials;

FIG. 17 schematically illustrates a handpiece assembly in fluidcommunication with a vacuum source and two supply containers accordingto one embodiment;

FIG. 18A schematically illustrates a handpiece assembly in fluidcommunication with a waste conduit and a supply conduit that comprises acartridge holder adapted to receive a cartridge or other containeraccording to one embodiment;

FIG. 18B schematically illustrates a handpiece assembly configured toreceive a cartridge or other container according to one embodiment;

FIG. 19A illustrates an exploded perspective view of a handpieceassembly, a tip and pads configured to be secured therebetween accordingto one embodiment;

FIG. 19B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the tip, a pads and thehandpiece assembly of FIG. 19A;

FIG. 20A illustrates an perspective view of a handpiece assemblyconfigured to receive a pad according to another embodiment;

FIG. 20B illustrates a side view of the handpiece assembly of FIG. 20A;

FIG. 20C illustrates a cross-sectional view of the handpiece assembly ofFIG. 20A;

FIG. 20D illustrates a detailed cross-sectional view of the handpieceassembly of FIG. 20A comprising a pad secured within an interior portionof its tip according to one embodiment;

FIG. 21A illustrates an exploded perspective view of a handpieceassembly that is adapted to be in fluid communication with a vacuumsource and a fluid delivery source according to one embodiment; and

FIG. 21B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the handpiece assembly ofFIG. 20A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a handpiece assembly 100 configuredfor use with a skin treatment system. Although the various embodimentsof a handpiece assembly, a tip and related components have specificrelevance to a skin treatment system, the features, advantages and othercharacteristics disclosed herein may have direct or indirectapplicability in other applications, such as, for example, other medicaldevices, mechanical devices and/or the like. As shown, the handpieceassembly 100 can include a main body portion 110, an adjustable distalportion 130 and a tip 160. In addition, as illustrated in the depictedembodiment, the handpiece assembly 100 can include one or moreconnections that are configured to transfer fluids or other materials toand/or from the working end of the assembly 100. For example, asdiscussed in greater detailed herein, the handpiece assembly 100 can bein fluid communication with a waste conduit 190 that is adapted toremove exfoliated skin, serums, other fluids or materials and/or thelike from the working surface.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, the handpiece assembly 100 can beadvantageously configured to receive a cartridge 200. In someembodiments, the cartridge 200 comprises human growth factors,cytokines, soluble collagen, antioxidants, matrix proteins, serums,water (e.g., distilled, tap water, filtered, etc.), saline, otherdilutants or dissolvents, vitamins, chemical exfoliation agents,lotions, soothing agents, brightening or lightening agents (e.g., kojicacid), peptides, acids, anesthetics, medicants, other non-active oractive compounds, other fluids or materials, combination or mixturesthereof and/or any other substance. As discussed in greater detailherein, such materials can be selectively delivered to a user's skinwhile the handpiece assembly 100 is being used. In some embodiments, thehandpiece assembly 100 includes an adjustable valve or other flowcontrol feature to enable a user to regulate the rate of delivery ofsuch fluids or other materials to the treatment surface.

In alternative embodiments, such as, for example, those discussed hereinwith reference to FIGS. 11-16, 19A, 19B, 20A-20D, 21A and 21B, one ormore materials can be strategically embedded, impregnated, placed,stored and/or otherwise disposed on one or more surfaces or areas of thetip or other portion or component of the skin treatment system (e.g.,the foam pads of FIG. 19A-20B). Such materials can comprise solids,semi-solids, other dried substances, gels, concentrated solutions and/orthe like. For example, such materials can be provided in loose form(e.g., positioned on or within a recess, other portion of the tip,within a cartridge or other container, adhered to one or more surfaces,etc.), as a tablet, capsule, pill, disc or other dissolvable solid,saturated within a foam pad or other sponge-like material and/or thelike. Thus, in certain arrangements, water (e.g., distilled, tap water,filtered, etc.), saline, other dilutants and/or other fluids which aredelivered to the tip can selectively dissolve, liquefy, melt, soften,dilute or otherwise prepare the materials embedded, impregnated and/orotherwise positioned on the tip, within a cartridge or other containerand/or on or within another portion or component of a skin treatmentsystem (e.g., handpiece assembly, fluid line upstream of the handpieceassembly, etc.). Accordingly, the desired human growth factors,cytokines, soluble collagen, antioxidants, matrix proteins, serums,water, saline, other dilutants or dissolvents, vitamins, chemicalexfoliation agents, lotions, soothing agents, brightening or lighteningagents, peptides, acids, anesthetics, medicants, other non-active oractive compounds, other fluids or materials, combination or mixturesthereof and/or any other substance can be advantageously provided to theskin surface being treated, as desired or required.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the handpiece assembly 100 can beconnected to a vacuum. For example, the waste conduit 190 of thehandpiece assembly can be placed in fluid communication with a suctionsource in order to remove exfoliated skin, spent fluids, waste materialsand/or other substances away from the treatment surface. According tocertain arrangements, the handpiece assembly 100 is configured toreceive one or more removable tips 160, which may be selected based uponthe specific procedure being performed, the desired result and/or anyother considerations. Additional details regarding removable tips areprovided with reference to certain embodiments disclosed herein.

With reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the handpiece assembly 100 cancomprise a recess 111 along the main body portion 110. Such a recess 111or other region can be sized, shaped and otherwise adapted to receive acartridge 200. In any of the embodiments described herein, the cartridge200 can include, without limitation, a standard or non-standard vial,ampoule or any other container. As discussed in greater detail herein,the handpiece assembly 100 can be configured to secure the cartridge 200or other container within the recess 111 or any other area during use.In some embodiments, serums, other fluids and/or other materialscontained within the cartridge 200 can be drawn toward the tip 160 usingone or more suction sources (e.g., the vacuum source configured toremove waste materials from the tip 160). In other embodiments, thefluids and/or other materials contained within the cartridge gravityflow toward the tip 160 or are conveyed with the help of a fluidtransfer device. The cartridge 200 can be selectively removed from thehandpiece assembly 100 when a desired volume or other amount of serum orother material has been delivered to the tip 160.

In other arrangements, two or more different cartridges 200 can be usedduring a skin treatment procedure. For example, a particular proceduremay require the contents (e.g., serums, proteins, brightening orlightening agents, peptides, other fluids or substances, etc.) of two ormore different cartridges 200. Thus, a user can load and/or unload acombination of cartridges 200 or other containers within a handpieceassembly 100 during a treatment procedure, either at the same time orsequentially (e.g., one after another). With continued reference to FIG.2B, the cartridge 200 can be inserted into the recess 111 in a directiongenerally represented by arrow 113.

FIG. 3A illustrates an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of ahandpiece assembly 100 identical or similar to the one depicted inFIG. 1. As shown, the handpiece assembly 100 can comprise a main bodyportion 110 and an adjustable distal portion 130 rotatably attachedthereto. As discussed and illustrated with reference to certainembodiments disclosed herein, rotation of the adjustable distal portion130 relative to the main portion 110 can advantageously permit a user toregulate the flow of serums, other fluids, materials and/or the likebeing delivered from the container 200 to the tip 160 of the handpieceassembly 100.

As illustrated in FIG. 3A, the adjustable distal portion 130 of thehandpiece assembly 100 can comprise one or more tabs 136 or otherprotruding members that are configured to align with correspondingrecesses 116 or other features of the main body portion 110. In oneembodiment, once the tabs 136 of the distal portion 130 are aligned withthe recesses 116, the adjustable distal portion 130 can be moved towardthe main body portion 110 until the tabs 136 reach a recessed annularring 118. Consequently, the distal portion 130 can be rotated relativeto the main body portion 110 so that the tabs 136 slide or otherwisemove within the recessed annular ring 118 of the main body portion 110.Such a feature can help secure the adjustable distal portion 130 to themain body portion 110. As discussed in greater detail herein, rotationof the adjustable distal portion 130 relative to the main body portion110 can help regulate the flowrate of fluids or other substances from acartridge 200 to the tip 160 of the handpiece assembly 100. In otherarrangements, the main body portion 110 comprises one or more otherprotruding members or features, and the adjustable distal portion 130comprises corresponding recessed or other receiving areas or portion.Alternatively, one or more other interconnecting members or features canbe used to secure the main body portion 110 to the adjustable distalportion 130.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3A, the distal portion 130comprises one or more O-rings 138 or other sealing members to preventundesirable leaks between the main body portion 110 and the adjustabledistal portion 130. Further, the opposite end of the adjustable distalportion 130 can be shaped, sized and otherwise configured to receive atip 160. In some embodiments, the tips 160 are removable, allowing auser to select between different tip designs, as desired or required bya particular application or use. In alternative arrangements, however,the tip 160 is permanently or semi-permanently attached to the handpieceassembly 100. Further, as shown in FIG. 3A, one or more O-rings 154 orother sealing members can be positioned between a tip 160 and theadjustable distal portion 130 of the handpiece assembly 100.

FIG. 3B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the handpiece assembly 100depicted in FIG. 3A. In the illustrated embodiment, a cartridge 200 hasbeen secured within a recess 111 or other receiving area of thehandpiece assembly 100. The size, shape, location and/or other detailsof the recess 111 can vary, depending on the size of the cartridge 200that will be inserted therein or as otherwise required or desired. Asshown in FIG. 3A, the cartridge 200 can include a main cylindricalportion 206 and a nozzle portion 210. In some arrangements, the nozzleportion 210 comprises a septum 214, membrane or other member that can bepierced, punctured or otherwise compromised to access the interiorcontents of the cartridge 200 (e.g., serum, other liquids or materials,etc.). The septum 214 can include one or more flexible, rigid and/orsemi-rigid materials, such as, for example, rubber, plastic, paperand/or the like.

The cartridge 200 can include one or more suitable materials, such as,for example, glass, metals (e.g., stainless steel), plastic, othersynthetic or natural materials and/or the like. In some embodiments, forinstance, a nozzle portion 210 comprising aluminum or other metal iscrimped onto a glass main cylindrical portion 206 of the cartridge 200.However, the nozzle portion 210 and the main cylindrical portion 206 ofthe cartridge 200 can comprise any other materials. However, the nozzleportion 210 can be attached to the cylindrical portion 206 using one ormore other methods or devices, such as, for example, a threadedconnection, snap connection, adhesives, other fasteners and/or the like.In still other embodiments, the cartridge 200 may include more or fewerportions, compartments, features and/or the like, as desired orrequired.

With continued reference to FIG. 3B, the interior of the recess 111 ofthe handpiece assembly 100 can comprise a hollow spike 126 or otherpiercing member. As shown, the spike 126 can be sized, shaped,positioned and otherwise configured to penetrate the septum 214,membrane or other member of a cartridge 200 when a cartridge 200 ispushed sufficiently far within the recess 111. In other embodiments, thespike 126 or other member can be adapted to access an interior portionof a cartridge 200 in one or more other ways. Accordingly, once thecartridge 200 has been properly inserted into the handpiece assembly 100and the septum 214 of the cartridge 200 has been compromised, the hollowspike 126 can be placed in fluid communication with the interiorcontents (e.g., human growth factors, cytokines, soluble collagen,antioxidants, matrix proteins, serums, water (e.g., distilled, tapwater, filtered, etc.), saline, other dilutants or dissolvents,vitamins, chemical exfoliation agents, lotions, soothing agents,brightening or lightening agents, peptides, peeling agents, acids,anesthetics, medicants, other non-active or active compounds, otherfluids or materials, combination or mixtures thereof and/or any othersubstance, etc.) of the cartridge 200. In other arrangements, asdiscussed in greater detail herein, the cartridge 200 can comprisewater, saline, other dilutants or dissolvents and/or other fluids thatcan be selectively delivered to the tip 160 to dissolve, dilute and/orotherwise come in contact with one or more solids, granular materials,gels, concentrated solution and/or other substances positioned within,on and/or near the tip or other portion of a handpiece assembly.

In the illustrated embodiment, the spike 126 includes an angled orsloped tip 128 to further facilitate the piercing or puncturing of thecartridge's septum 214 or other sealing member. Although not illustratedherein, the handpiece assembly 100 can include one or more other needlesthat are configured to penetrate into the interior of a cartridge 200.For example, one or more vent needles can be used to facilitate theremoval of fluids and/or other materials from a cartridge 200 which hasbeen loaded into a handpiece assembly 100.

As discussed, the cartridge 200 can be sized, shaped and otherwiseconfigured to snugly or generally snugly fit within the handpieceassembly 100. Therefore, in some arrangements, the cartridge 200 issecured to the handpiece assembly 100 by friction or by the generallytight tolerances of the recess 111 of the handpiece assembly 100. InFIG. 3B, the friction between spike 126 and the septum 214 or othersealing member can help maintain the cartridge 200 within the handpieceassembly 100.

In other embodiments, however, a cartridge 200 can be secured to one ormore other portions of a handpiece assembly 100. In addition, thehandpiece assembly 100 can include one or more other methods or devicesfor securing a cartridge 200. For example, the handpiece assembly 100can include tabs, flanges, other protrusion members and/or any otherfeatures or items that help positively engage one or more portions ofthe cartridge 200 positioned therein. In some embodiments, delivery of acartridge 200 to a desired depth of the recess 111 or other receivingarea of the handpiece assembly 100 can produce an audible click, apositive engagement mechanism and/or the like. Such features can helpnotify the user that a cartridge 200 has been property secured withinthe handpiece assembly 100. In other arrangements, a separate device,such as, as a locking cap, strap or other member can be used to ensurethat the cartridge 200 remains in fluid communication with the spike 126and within the recess 111 or other desired receiving location of thehandpiece assembly 100 during use.

FIG. 4A illustrates a cross-sectional view of the handpiece assembly 100comprising a spike 126 that is in fluid communication with the interior201 of a cartridge 200. As shown, a delivery conduit 124 can be used toplace the spike 126 in fluid communication with an intermediate regionor space 142 generally formed between the main body portion 110 and theadjustable distal portion 130. One or more O-rings 144 or other sealingmembers can be used to ensure that fluid remains within thisintermediate region 142. Further, the handpiece assembly 100 can beconfigured so that a user can selectively modify the size of theintermediate region 142. For example, as illustrated by the differencesbetween FIGS. 4A and 4B, rotation of the adjustable distal portion 130relative to the main body portion 110 can alter the width 143A, 143B ofthe intermediate region 142. In some embodiments, rotation of theadjustable distal portion 130 relative to the main body portion 110causes the two portions 130, 110 to move closer to or further apart fromeach other, depending on the direction of rotation. Consequently, thewidth 143A, 143B, and thus the overall size, of the intermediate region142 can be selectively varied by a user during a treatment procedure, asdesired or required.

In some embodiments, the longitudinal axes of the delivery conduit 124and the spike 126 can be offset (e.g., generally not aligned) with eachother. This can permit the width 143A, 143B or other separation distancebetween the main body portion 110 and the adjustable distal portion 130to be selectively varied. As discussed in greater detail herein, thiscan help modify the hydraulic characteristics of fluids and/or othermaterials being conveyed from the spike 126 to the delivery conduit 124,and thus, from a cartridge 200 or other fluid source to the tip 160 ofthe handpiece assembly 100. In some embodiments, the longitudinal axesof the delivery conduit 124 and the spike 126 remain offset as theadjustable distal portion 130 is rotated or otherwise moved relative tothe main body portion 110.

In the illustrated embodiment, the distance between the recessed annularring 118 of the main body portion 110 and the interface 119 between themain body portion 110 and the adjustable distal portion 130 variesdepending on the circumferential position of the annular ring 118. Inother words, by rotating the adjustable distal portion 130 relative tothe main body portion 110, the distance between these portions 130, 110can be selectively adjusted.

With continued reference to FIG. 4A, the adjustable distal portion 130can include a delivery channel 140 or other conduit that places theintermediate region 142 in fluid communication with the tip 160.However, in order for serums or other materials to be delivered from theintermediate region 142 to the tip 160, a fluid path must be createdbetween the intermediate region 142 and the delivery channel 140 throughthe adjustable distal portion 130. In FIG. 4A, there is little or nospace between the distal portion 130 and the main body portion 110.Therefore, fluids or other materials will be prevented or severelylimited from flowing from the intermediate region 142, and thus thecartridge 200, to the tip 160 of the handpiece assembly 100.

Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 4B, when sufficient separationexists between the adjacent surfaces of the adjustable distal portion130 and the main body housing 110, a flow path is created from theintermediate region 142 to the delivery channel 140 of the distalportion 130. Accordingly, serums and/or other fluids or materials can beconveyed from the cartridge 200 toward the tip 160 of the handpieceassembly 100. Accordingly, by rotating the adjustable distal portion 130relative to the main body housing 110, as discussed herein, the flowrateof liquids and/or other materials from the cartridge 200 toward the tip160 can be selectively regulated.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1 and 3A, the adjustable distalportion 130 can include a setting indicator 132 along its exteriorsurface, near the interface of the adjustable distal portion 130 and theadjacent main body portion 110. Likewise, the main body portion 110 caninclude a plurality of corresponding markers 112A-112D with which theindicator 132 of the distal portion 130 can align. In the illustratedembodiment, the main body portion 110 comprises a total of four markers112A-112D, each corresponding to a different flowrate setting throughthe handpiece assembly 100. However, a handpiece assembly 100 caninclude more or fewer indicators 132 and/or markers 112A-112D, asdesired or required by a particular application or use. As discussed,rotation of the adjustable distal portion 130 relative to the main bodyportion 110 can vary the distance between the two portions 110, 130.Thus, the flow path for serums and/or other fluids or materials throughthe handpiece assembly 100 can be adjusted.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3A, the markers 112A-112Dalong the outside of the main body portion are generally circular inshape. Further, the diameter of each of the markers 112A-112D variesdepending on the relative flowrate through the handpiece assembly 100 towhich each marker corresponds or relates. For example, in someembodiments, the larger markers represent a greater separation distancebetween adjacent surfaces of the adjustable distal portion 130 and themain body portion 110, and thus, a relatively higher flowrate of fluidsand/or other materials from the cartridge 200 through the handpieceassembly 100 to the tip 160. As shown, the handpiece assembly 100 can beconfigured so that a user selects a flowrate setting by aligning thesetting indicator 132 on the distal portion 130 with the desired marker112A-112D on the main body portion 110. In accordance with thearrangements disclosed herein, this can be accomplished by rotating theadjustable distal portion 130 relative to the main body portion 110.

However, a handpiece assembly 100 can include one or more other methodsof selecting a desired flowrate of fluids and/or other materialstherethrough. For example, in some embodiments, the handpiece assembly100 includes one or more dials, knobs, buttons and/or other devices orfeatures for adjusting the flowrate. Such controllers can be graduatedso as to permit a user to select a specific flowrate or relative flowsetting (e.g., “HIGH,” “MEDIUM,” “LOW,” etc.). In other arrangements,the handpiece assembly 100 comprises a display (e.g., LED, LCD, etc.)that is adapted to provide information regarding a current flowrate orsetting. Further, such a display can be configured to permit users tomake flowrate adjustments (e.g., touchscreen display). Further,selection devices or features (e.g., knobs, buttons, dials, etc.) and/ordisplays can be positioned on the handpiece assembly 100. Alternatively,the controllers can be separate from the handpiece assembly. Forexample, such devices or features can be connected to the assemblythrough one or more hardwired and/or wireless connections (e.g., cable,Ethernet line, radio frequency, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, etc.).

In other embodiments, a handpiece assembly 100 includes one or moredifferent methods and/or devices for controlling the flowrate of fluidsor other materials from a cartridge 200 toward the tip 160. For example,the handpiece assembly 100 can comprise different types of flow controlvalves or devices than those disclosed herein. Regardless of the exactflow control method or device used, it may be desirable to provide userswith the ability to selectively regulate the rate at which serums, otherfluids or materials and/or the like are delivered from a cartridge 200to the tip 160 of the handpiece assembly 100. This can further enhance aparticular skin treatment procedure by allowing a desired volume offluids or other materials to be delivered to the treatment surface(e.g., skin-tip interface). For instance, during the initial exfoliationphase, a relatively high volume of serum or other lubricating fluids maybe desired. However, during subsequent stages of a treatment procedure,a reduced flowrate of fluids and/or other substances may be desired orrequired.

With continued reference to FIG. 3B, the tip 160 can include an internaldelivery stem 164 or other conduit that is configured receive fluidsand/or other substances from the delivery channel 140 of the adjustabledistal portion 130 and convey them to the distal end 161 of the tip 160.As illustrated in FIGS. 3B, 4A and 4B, the internal stem 164 of the tip160 can be sized, shaped and otherwise configured to be in fluidcommunication with the delivery channel 140 extending through theinterior of the distal portion 130. In some embodiments, a handpieceassembly 100 includes two or more internal delivery channels 140 orother conduits through which fluids and/or other materials may beconveyed. Likewise, the tip 160 can include additional delivery stems164 or other conduits configured to transfer fluids and/or othermaterials toward the distal end 161 of the tip 160.

As depicted in FIG. 3B, the tip 160 can include one or more removalconduits 168A. According to certain embodiments, such conduits 168A arealso in fluid communication with the distal end 161 of the tip 160. Theremoval conduits 168A can be advantageously sized, shaped, located andotherwise configured to transfer exfoliated skin, spent serums and otherwaste materials away from the treatment surface. In some arrangements, atip 160 comprises a plurality of removal conduits 168A located at ornear the tip periphery. However, in other embodiments, the quantity,spacing, location and other details of the removal conduits 168A canvary, as desired or required by a particular application or use.

With continued reference to the cross-sectional views of FIGS. 3B, 4Aand 4B, exfoliated skin, spent serums, other fluids and/or any othermaterials can be transferred from the distal end 161 of the tip 160 to acommon collection area 152 located at or near a proximal end of the tip160. According to some embodiments, the collection area 152 ispositioned at or near the location where the tip 160 attaches to theadjustable distal portion 130. Accordingly, exfoliated skin, spent orwaste fluids and/or other materials can be delivered into one or moreremoval channels 150 of the distal portion 130. In addition, the mainbody portion 110 can include one or more waste channels 120 or conduitsthat are configured to be in fluid communication with the removalchannels 150 of the distal portion 130. In the depicted embodiments, acavity 122 or other common area is used to place the channels 120 of themain body portion 110 in fluid communication with the removal channels150 of the distal portion 130. Such a cavity or other common area can belocated at or near the interface of the adjacent portions 110, 130 ofthe handpiece assembly 100. Further, the cavity 122 can beadvantageously configured to maintain the waste channel 120 in fluidcommunication with the removal channel 150 throughout the entire rangeof relative movement between the main body portion 110 and theadjustable distal portion 130. As shown, the cavity 122 or other commonarea can comprise an annular region that completely or partially extendsaround an interior portion of the handpiece assembly 100.

In some embodiments, the main body portion 110 of the handpiece assembly100 includes a discharge nozzle 180 or port. As illustrated in FIG. 3B,the nozzle 180 can include a threaded portion 182 that attaches to thehandpiece assembly 100. The nozzle can further include a fittinggenerally opposite of the threaded portion 182 that is shaped, sized andotherwise configured to receive tubing 190 or some other fluid line orconduit. The nozzle 180 can comprise a different shape, size or generaldesign than illustrated in FIG. 3B. In addition, the nozzle 180 can beadapted to connect to the handpiece assembly 100 and/or tubing 190 (orfluid conduits) using other methods or devices. For example, the nozzle180 can form a generally uniform structure with an adjacent portion ofthe handpiece assembly 100. According to another arrangement, the nozzle180 includes a quick-connect fitting to facilitate connection to and/orremoval from a waste conduit (e.g., rubber or other flexible tubing,hose or other line). Regardless of its exact shape, size, method ofattachment and/or other characteristics or details, the nozzle 180 canbe advantageously configured to place the handpiece assembly 100 influid communication with a vacuum or other suction source (e.g., via thetubing 180 or other conduit) that can selectively remove exfoliatedskin, spent serums other fluids and/or any other materials away from theskin surface being treated.

According to some embodiments, the conduit 190 or other channel (e.g.,flexible tubing or hose) to which the handpiece assembly 100 connect arein fluid communication with a vacuum or other suction source (e.g.,pump, other fluid transfer device, etc.). Thus, exfoliated skin, spentfluids and/or other waste materials can be transported away from thedistal end 161 of the tip 160 to a canister (not shown) or other wastesource. The rate of transfer of such waste materials can depend on oneor more factors, such as, for example, the setting of the vacuum orsuction source, the characteristics (e.g., diameter, length, smoothness,etc.) of the various conduits or channels 168A, 150, 120, 180, 190through which the waste materials are conveyed, the viscosity, densityand other fluid properties of the waste materials and/or the like.

FIG. 4C schematically illustrates one embodiment of a handpiece assembly100′ which comprises a cartridge 200′ and which is in fluidcommunication with a vacuum V or other suction source. In the depictedarrangement, the vacuum V is configured to remove waste materials fromthe tip 160′ and help deliver serums, other fluids and/or any othermaterials from the cartridge 200′ to the tip 160′. When the tip 160′ ispositioned against the skin S being treated, suction created by thevacuum source V can be transmitted to the delivery channel 140′ of theassembly 100′. In some embodiments, such a suction force within thedelivery channel 140′ remains intact as long as the tip 160′ ismaintained against or substantially against the skin S. Consequently,the suction force can be transferred to the delivery channel 140′ via anenclosed or substantially enclosed area A near the working surface ofthe tip 160′.

With continued reference to FIG. 4C, human growth factors, cytokines,soluble collagen, antioxidants, matrix proteins, serums, water (e.g.,distilled, tap water, filtered, etc.), saline, other dilutants ordissolvents, vitamins, chemical exfoliation agents, lotions, soothingagents, brightening or lightening agents (e.g., kojic acid), peptides,peeling agents, acids, anesthetics, medicants, other non-active oractive compounds, other fluids or materials, combination or mixturesthereof and/or any other substance situated within a cartridge 200′ canbe placed in fluid communication with the delivery channel 140′ using aspike 126′ or other member. A valve F or other flow control device ormechanism can be used to regulate the rate at which such fluids and/orother materials are transferred to the tip 160′. For example, thehandpiece assembly 100′ can comprise a main body portion that is movable(e.g., rotatable) relative to a distal portion as disclosed herein withreference to FIGS. 1-3B and 5A. As discussed, the relative movement ofthese portions can help regulate the flowrate of serums, other fluidsand/or other materials from the cartridge 200′ to the tip 160′ of thehandpiece assembly 100′. In alternative embodiments, as discussed ingreater detail herein, the delivery channel 140′ can be configured toconvey water, saline, other dilutants or dissolvents and/or other fluidsfrom the cartridge 200′ to the tip 160′. Accordingly, solid materials,gels, other concentrated materials and/or other substances positioned onor near the tip 160′ can be advantageously mixed or combined with thesefluids to produce a desired and/or required effect.

In other embodiments, however, the contents of a container 200′ aretransferred to the tip 160′ using one or more other methods or devices,either in addition to or in lieu of the methods discussed herein withreference to FIG. 4C. For example, the handpiece assembly 100′ cancomprise an internal pump or other fluid transfer device that isconfigured to convey serums, other fluids and/or other materials fromthe cartridge 200′ to the tip 160′. In other embodiments, the internalcontents of the cartridge 200′ are configured to, at least partially,gravity flow toward the tip 160′ of the assembly 100′. One or more otherways of transferring fluids and other materials to the tip 160′ of thehandpiece assembly 100′ can be used, either in lieu of or in combinationwith methods and devices disclosed herein.

In any of the embodiments of a handpiece assembly disclosed herein,including but not limited to those illustrated and discussed withreference to FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 4A-4C, 5A-5C, 7, 14A, 16A, 17,18A, 18B, 19A, 19B, 20A-20D, 21A and 21B, or variations thereof, thedirection of flow through the various channels, conduits and/or otherhydraulic components of the tip, handpiece assembly and other componentsof a skin treatment system can be reversed. By way of example, in thearrangement shown in FIGS. 1-4B, the handpiece assembly 100 can bedifferently configured so that spent fluids, exfoliated skin, debris andother waste materials are removed away from the skin through a centrallylocated opening in the tip (e.g., the delivery stem 164) and/or acentrally located channel (e.g., the delivery channel 140) of thehandpiece assembly 100. In such embodiments, one or more of the fluidchannels, connectors and/or other fluid lines may need to bereconfigured to adequately place the centrally-located removal openingof the tip in fluid communication with a vacuum or other suction source,as desired or required.

Further, the serums, other fluids and/or other materials can bedelivered to the tip 160 (e.g., from a cartridge, an external source,etc.) through one or more peripheral or other non-centrally locatedchannels, conduits and/or other lines or fittings. For instance, in thehandpiece assembly 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1-4B, such fluids and/orother materials can be routed through channels 150 of the assemblyand/or waste conduits 168A of the tip 160. Thus, one or more of thechannels, connectors and/or other hydraulic components may need to bereconfigured to adequately place the non-centrally located deliveryopenings of the tip in fluid communication with corresponding deliverylines of the handpiece assembly 100.

Accordingly, in any of the embodiments disclosed herein, water (e.g.,distilled, tap water, sterile, filtered, etc.), saline, serums, growthfactors, other dilutants, other solutions, mixtures or fluids and/or thelike can be delivered to the tip through one or more centrally and/ornon-centrally located (e.g., peripheral, offset, etc.) openings. Thus,the flow pattern of such fluids and/or other materials across the tip(e.g., from the tip inlet to the tip outlet) can be advantageouslycontrolled as desired or required for a particular application or use.For instance, in some embodiments, it may be desirable to introducefluids and/or other materials through one, two or more peripheral ornon-centrally located openings (e.g., 572A, 572B) of a tip (e.g., 560 ofFIG. 8A), and to collect the spent fluids, removed skin, other debrisand other waste materials through a centrally-located opening (e.g.,570).

FIG. 5A illustrates a partial exploded view of another embodiment of ahandpiece assembly 100B. As with the arrangement of FIG. 3A, thedepicted handpiece assembly 100B can be configured to receive aremovable tip 160B along its distal end. Further, as with otherembodiments discussed and illustrated herein, the handpiece assembly100B can include an adjustable distal portion 130B that is selectivelymovable (e.g., rotatable) relative to the adjacent main body portion110B. Such relative rotation or other movement can advantageously permita user to regulate the flow of serums, chemical exfoliation compounds ormixtures, antioxidants, growth factors, lotions, vitamins, medicants,brightening or lightening agents, peptides, peeling agents, acids, otheractive or non-active agents, water (e.g., distilled, tap water,filtered, sterile, etc.), saline, other dilutants, other fluids ormaterials and/or the like being delivered to the tip 160B of thehandpiece assembly 100B.

In FIG. 5A, the adjustable distal portion 130B of the handpiece assembly100B comprises a nozzle 166B or other member that helps place the tip160B in fluid communication with a vacuum source and/or a fluid deliverysource. In some embodiments, the tip 160B is advantageously designed toreceive or otherwise accommodate the nozzle 164B. For example, asillustrated in FIG. 5B, an interior portion of the tip 160B can includea recess 164B that is shaped, sized and otherwise configured to receivethe nozzle 166B of the adjustable distal portion 130B. As shown, thehandpiece assembly 100B and/or the tip 160B can include one or moreO-rings 154B, 155B, gaskets and/or other sealing members or devices tohelp reduce or eliminate the likelihood of leaks as fluids and othermaterials are transferred between the handpiece assembly 100B and thetip 160B. The tip 160B can be secured to the distal end of the handpieceassembly 100B using a friction connection, a threaded connection, a snapconnection, another type of mechanical connection and/or any other typeof attachment device or method.

Such configurations in which the distal end of a handpiece assemblycomprises a nozzle, fitting or other protruding member that is adaptedto be secured within a corresponding recess, other feature or other areaof the tip can be incorporated into any of the handpiece assembly and/ortip embodiments disclosed herein, or variations thereof. As discussed ingreater detail herein, such a nozzle-recess connection can be configuredto place the tip in fluid communication with either a suction source ora fluid delivery source, as desired or required. One or more additionalopenings, conduits, channels and/or other hydraulic components in thetip and/or the handpiece assembly can be configured to transfer fluidsand/or materials to and/or from the tip.

With reference to the cross-sectional view of FIG. 5C, once the tip 160Bhas been properly secured to the handpiece assembly 100A (e.g., to theadjustable distal portion 130B), the distal end of the tip 160B can beplaced in fluid communication with one or more delivery channels 150Band/or waste channels 140B of the handpiece assembly 100B. For example,in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 5C, serums, water (e.g., distilled,tap water, filtered, etc.), other dilutants, other fluids or materialsand/or the like can be delivered to the tip 160 through a deliveryconduit 150B of the handpiece assembly 100B, through a common area C(e.g., located between the tip 160B and the adjustable distal portion130B of the handpiece assembly 100B) and through two peripherallylocated delivery conduits 168B of the tip 160B. In addition, wastematerials can be removed from the tip through a centrally-locatedopening and recess 164B of the tip 160B and a waste channel of thehandpiece assembly 100B. However, as discussed, in alternativeembodiments, the direction of flow through such channels, conduitsand/or other hydraulic components of the tip 160B and/or the handpieceassembly 100B can be reversed or otherwise varied, as desired orrequired.

FIG. 6A illustrates a side view of one embodiment of a cartridge 300configured to be secured within or onto a handpiece assembly asdisclosed herein. The cartridge 300 can include a main cylindricalportion 306 and a nozzle portion 310 or closure. As illustrated in FIG.6C, the closure 310 can comprise a septum 314, membrane or other memberthat can be pierced, punctured or otherwise compromised to access theinterior contents of the cartridge 300 (e.g., serum, other liquids ormaterials, etc.). In some embodiments, for example, the septum 314 orother member is adapted to be selectively pierced or punctured by ahollow spike, needle or similar device when the cartridge 300 isinserted into the handpiece assembly. As discussed, the septum 314 caninclude one or more flexible materials, such as, for example, rubber,plastic, paper and/or the like.

For any embodiments of a cartridge, vial or other container disclosedherein, the septum 314, membrane or other surface configured to bepierced, punctured or otherwise compromised can be re-sealable. In otherwords, such a septum 314 can be adapted to re-seal the internal contentsof the cartridge 300 when the cartridge is removed from the handpieceassembly. Therefore, leakage of serums, other fluids and/or othermaterials contained within a cartridge can be reduced or prevented. Inaddition, the septum 314 can help ensure against contamination of theinternal contents by preventing one or more materials from entering thecartridge.

As discussed, cartridges configured to be secured within a handpieceassembly can include any combination of serums, human growth factors,cytokines, collagen, brightening or lightening agents, peptides, peelingagents, acids, antioxidants, matrix proteins, saline, water (e.g.,distilled, tap water, filtered, etc.) and/or other liquids orsubstances, as desired or required by a particular application or use.In certain embodiments, a treatment protocol may require the use of one,two or more different cartridges for a specific procedure. Thus,cartridges can be removed from or inserted into a handpiece assemblyprior to or during a particular procedure.

Another embodiment of a cartridge 400 that is sized, shaped andotherwise configured for placement within a handpiece assembly isillustrated in FIG. 6B. As shown, the cartridge 400 can include a tip410 and a main tubular portion 406. With reference to the front view ofFIG. 6D, at least a portion of the end surface 414 of the tip 410 caninclude one or more septa, membranes or other layers or members that areconfigured to be pierced, punctured or otherwise compromised by a spikeor other protruding member when the cartridge 400 is secured in ahandpiece assembly.

With continued reference to FIG. 6B, the cartridge 400 can include aninternal channel 420 that is adapted to be in fluid communication with atubular spike or other protruding member of the handpiece assembly whena surface 414 of the cartridge 400 is pierced or punctured (e.g., whenthe cartridge 400 is properly inserted within a handpiece assembly). Insome embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 6B, the cartridge 400 includesa nozzle 430 or other fitting that is sized, shaped and otherwiseconfigured to receive or connect to a fluid line 450 or other conduit.For example, in the depicted arrangement, the nozzle 430 includes a port438 to which tubing or some other fluid conduit 450 can attach. In someembodiments, the nozzle 430 is secured to the cartridge 400 using athreaded connection 434. However, one or more other types of methods ordevices can be used to join the nozzle 430 to the cartridge 400. Inother embodiments, the cartridge 400 and the nozzle 430 form a generallyunitary structure (e.g., molded as a single member).

A cartridge 400, such as the one illustrated in FIG. 6B, canadvantageously permit a user to deliver human growth factors, cytokines,soluble collagen, antioxidants, matrix proteins, serums, water (e.g.,distilled, tap water, filtered, etc.), saline, other dilutants ordissolvents, vitamins, chemical exfoliation agents, lotions, soothingagents, brightening or lightening agents, peptides, peeling agents,acids, anesthetics, medicants, other non-active or active compounds,other fluids or materials, combination or mixtures thereof and/or anyother substance to a handpiece assembly from one or more external fluidsources. For example, in some embodiments, the conduit 450 to which thecartridge 400 is connected, is placed in fluid communication with one ormore containers. Such containers can comprise the desired serums, humangrowth factors, cytokines, collagen, antioxidants, matrix proteins,brightening or lightening agents, peptides, peeling agents, acids,medicants, other fluids or substances, combinations thereof and/or thelike, as desired or required by a particular treatment. Thus, thecartridge 400 can be used as an interface between the handpiece assemblyand a relatively larger source of treatment media. For example, thecartridge 400 can be placed in fluid communication with amulti-container system such as the one disclosed in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/392,348, filed on Mar. 29, 2006 and published onJul. 5, 2007 as U.S. Publication 2007/0156124, the entirety of which ishereby incorporated by reference herein.

According to certain arrangements, a cartridge 400 includes one or moresolids, granular materials, gels, concentrated fluids and/or othersubstances that are adapted to dissolve, dilute, soften or otherwise mixwhen contacted by water, saline, other dilutants or dissolvents and/orother fluids. Thus, such materials or other substances can be placedwithin the cartridge 400 in one or more forms, such as, for example, aspowder, granular material, a tablet, a capsule, a pill, otherdissolvable solid, a concentrated solution, a gel and/or the like. Inother embodiments, such solids, gels and/or other materials can besituated on the tip or other portion of the system (e.g., within a postor recess, adhered to one or more other exposed or hidden surfaces,within a removable cartridge upstream of the handpiece assembly asillustrated, for example, in FIG. 18A, etc.), impregnated into a foampad or other member (see, as depicted in FIGS. 19A, 19B and 20A-20C)and/or at any other location. Regardless of their exact composition,location and/or other details, such materials and/or other substancescan be configured to dissolve, dilute and/or otherwise mix with water,saline and/or other fluids being conveyed through the cartridge 400.

As discussed, in any of the embodiments of the cartridge (e.g., vial,ampoule, other standard or non-standard container, etc.) disclosedherein, the cartridge can be configured to releasably lock or otherwisesecure to one or more portions of a handpiece assembly (e.g., recess).In other embodiments, a cartridge includes threads, tabs, slots and/orother features that are configured to engage corresponding portions ofthe handpiece assembly. In alternative arrangements, the cartridge isadapted to remain within a receiving portion of the handpiece assemblyby friction or some other mechanism or feature, as desired or required.

According to certain embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 7, thecartridge 400 is placed in fluid communication with a manifold system460 that may comprise a plurality of individual fluid lines 462, 464,466, 468. In turn, one or more of these fluid lines 462, 464, 466, 468can be in fluid communication with a separate container (not shown). Inthe illustrated embodiment, all the individual fluid lines 462, 464,466, 468 feed into the main fluid line 450, which connects to the nozzle430 of the cartridge 400. One or more of the fluid lines 450, 462, 464,466, 468 can comprise a valve 472, 474, 476, 478 or other flow controldevice or feature to selectively regulate the transfer of fluids and/orother materials to the handpiece assembly 100. In the illustratedarrangement, the manifold system 460 comprises a total of four fluidbranches 462, 464, 466, 468. However, a system can comprise more orfewer fluid branches, as desired or required by a particularapplication.

According to certain embodiments, one or more of the fluid lines fluidlines 450, 462, 464, 466, 468 of the system schematically illustrated inFIG. 7 are configured to provide water (e.g., distilled, tap water,filtered, etc.), saline, other dilutants or dissolvents, other fluidsand/or the like to the handpiece assembly 100. As discussed in greaterdetail herein, such fluids can be adapted to contact and dissolve,dilute, liquefy, soften and/or otherwise mix with one or more solids,gels and/or other materials positioned within or on various surfaces orportions of the handpiece assembly 100 (e.g., tip). This can provide aconvenient method of providing one or more materials at the skin-tipinterface and/or any other location where such materials are desired orrequired.

FIGS. 8A-8F illustrate different views of one embodiment of a removabletip 560 configured for placement on a handpiece assembly as disclosedherein. As shown, the tip 560 can include a tip body portion 563 and atip skirt portion 562 extending along the bottom of the tip body portion563. According to certain embodiments, the skirt portion 562 includes aplurality of gripping members or other features (e.g., recesses,protrusions, etc.) to facilitate the handling of the tip 560.

With reference back to the exploded perspective view of FIG. 3A, a tip160 can be configured to slidably connect to the distal end of ahandpiece assembly 100 (e.g., the end of the adjustable distal portion130). For example, in some embodiments, the tip 160 is adapted to bepress fit onto the handpiece assembly 100. As illustrated in FIG. 3A,one or more O-rings 154 or other sealing members can be used betweenadjacent surfaces of the tip 160 and the handpiece assembly 100 toprevent or reduce the likelihood of undesirable leaks or pressure (e.g.,positive, negative or vacuum, etc.). In other embodiments, a tip 160 isremovably secured to a handpiece assembly 100 using any other method ordevice, such as, for example, a threaded connection, interlocking tabs,flanges, members, other fasteners, other mechanical devices and/or thelike. In other arrangements, the tip 160 is permanently orsemi-permanently attached to the handpiece assembly 100.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8A-8F, the tip 560 comprises oneor more surfaces along its distal end 561 that are configured to treat(e.g., exfoliate) skin. Any of the embodiments of a tip disclosedherein, including but not limited to those illustrated in FIGS. 1-21B,tip designs incorporated by reference or any other tip designs, orvariations thereof, can include one or more abrasive elements configuredto treat skin. In addition, such tips can include one or more treatmentelements, either in addition to or in lieu of abrasive elements. As usedherein, “abrasive element” is a broad term and includes, withoutlimitation, protruding elements, abrasive materials (e.g., grit,sandpaper-like material, other coarse materials, etc.), roughenedsurfaces, contoured surfaces, surfaces with openings, recesses or otherfeatures, brushes, blades, surfaces impregnated with diamonds or othermaterials and/or the like. Further, as used herein, “treatment element”is a broad term and includes, without limitation, an abrasive element,massage elements or features, elements or features configured tomoisturize or apply one or more treatment agents or fluids, polishing orsoothing elements or features and/or the like.

As illustrated in FIGS. 8A, 8C and 8D, the tip can include a lip 567 orother ridge member along or near its outer periphery. The lip member 567can generally define the periphery of the distal end 561 of the tip 560.In some embodiments, when the tip 560 is positioned against the skin S,as depicted in FIG. 8F, the lip member 567 completely, substantially orpartially inhibits fluids or other materials from escaping a space 590(or a plurality of spaces 590) generally defined between the tip 560 andthe adjacent skin surface S.

With continued reference to FIGS. 8A-8F, the tip 560 can include aplurality of protruding members 574, 576, 578 positioned along itsdistal end 561 and within the interior of the lip member 567. Theprotruding members 574, 576, 578 can be posts or othercylindrically-shaped objects. In some embodiments, the protrudingmembers 574, 576, 578 comprise relatively sharp edges, which can beconfigured to remove skin. The protruding members 574, 576, 578 can haverelatively sharp planing blades. The plurality of protruding members574, 576, 578 can ablate or roughen areas of the skin being treated.

As illustrated in FIGS. 8A-8F, the outer diameter or other comparabledimension (e.g., length, width, etc.) of the posts 574, 576, 578 orother protruding members can vary. For example, in the depictedembodiment, the tip 560 includes a number of large-sized posts 574, anumber of medium-sized posts 576 and a number of small-sized posts 578.In other arrangements, the diameter and/or other dimensions of theprotruding members can be similar or substantiality similar. The postsor other protruding members 574, 576, 578 can be located, spaced andotherwise oriented along the distal end 561 of the tip 560 in anydesired or required manner.

Moreover, the location, spacing, orientation, layout and/or othercharacteristics of the posts 574, 576, 578 or other protruding memberscan be different than illustrated or discussed herein, as desired orrequired by a particular procedure or application. As discussed, the lipmember 567 of the tip 560 can help create an enclosed space 590 (or aplurality of spaces 590) generally defined between the distal end 561 ofthe tip 560 and the skin surface being treated. Therefore, according tosome embodiments, the lip member 567 extends above the top of theprotruding members 574, 576, 578 so that the protruding members arewithin the enclosed space during a treatment procedure. In otherembodiments, however, the top surface of the lip 567 is below orgenerally aligned with the top surface of the protruding members 574,576, 578.

With continued reference to FIGS. 8A-8E, the tip 560 can include aninterior delivery stem 564 that is configured to place the distal end561 of the tip 560 in fluid communication with the one or more deliverychannels or other conduits located within the handpiece assembly. Forexample, as discussed herein with reference to FIGS. 4, 5A and 5B, thedelivery stem 164, 564 of the tip 160, 560 can be sized, shaped andotherwise adapted to receive serums, fluids and/or other materials froma delivery channel 140 of the adjustable distal portion 130 when the tip160, 560 is properly secured within or to the handpiece assembly 100.

As illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8C, the distal end 561 of the tip 560 caninclude an opening 570 through which fluids and/or other materialsconveyed by the delivery stem 564 may exit. As shown, the opening 570 islocated at or near the center of the distal end 561 of the tip 560. Inother arrangements, a tip 560 can include additional stems 564 and/oropenings 570. In addition, the size, shape, location and/or otherdetails of the openings 570 can be different than illustrated herein.

Moreover, the distal end 561 of the tip 560 can include one or moreoutlet openings 572A, 572B through which exfoliated skin, spent serums,other waste liquids, fluids and other materials and/or the like can beremoved. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8A-8F, the tip 560includes two outlet openings 572A, 572B. However, more or fewer openingscan be included, as desired or required. In addition, as shown in thecross-sectional view of FIG. 8F, some or all of the posts or otherprotruding members 574, 576, 578 can be generally hollow so that theyperform a similar function as other outlet openings 572A, 572B of thetip 560. In other embodiments, however, some or all of the protrudingmembers are not hollow or do not include openings therethrough.Regardless of the quantity, shape, size, orientation, spacing, layoutand/or other characteristics of the outlet openings 572A, 572B and/orthe hollow protruding members 574, 576, 576 included along the distalend 561 of the tip 560, exfoliated skin, spent serums, other fluidsand/or any other materials can be removed from the enclosed space 590 toone or more collection areas 552 positioned within an interior portionof the tip 560.

In some embodiments, the outlet openings 572A, 572B and/or theprotruding members 574, 576, 578 are in fluid communication with outletstems (not shown) that extend toward one or more collection areas 552within an interior portion of the tip 560. Once within an interiorcavity or other portion of the tip 560, such waste materials can bedrawn into one or more removal or waste channels 120, 150 positionedwithin the handpiece assembly 100 (FIG. 3B). An adequate vacuum or othersuction source can transport such waste fluids and/or materials to acanister, other container and/or any other desired location via tubing190 or another fluid conduit.

As discussed herein with reference to the schematic of FIG. 4C, in someembodiments, when the distal end 561 of a tip 560 is positioned againstthe skin being treated, one or more enclosed spaces are created betweenthe skin surface and tip, generally along the interior of a peripherallip member or other ridge. Therefore, as a vacuum or another suctionforce is applied to the removal or waste channels of a handpieceassembly, exfoliated skin, spent serum, other fluids and/or othermaterials can be removed from the enclosed spaces. In FIG. 8F, theenclosed space 590 is at least partially defined between the lip 567 ofthe tip 560 and the adjacent skin surface S being treated. At the sametime, the delivery stem 564 of the tip 560, the delivery channel 140 ofthe handpiece assembly 100 (FIG. 4) and any other conduit or space thatis in fluid communication with the enclosed space 590 of the tip 560 canalso be subjected to a vacuum or other suction force. Consequently,serums, other treatment materials and/or the like can be advantageouslytransported to the distal end 561 of the tip 560 through one or moreopenings 570. As discussed, tip designs discussed or illustrated herein,or variations thereof, can comprise any combination of treatmentelements and/or abrasive elements, as desired or required by aparticular application.

For any of the tip embodiments disclosed herein, including thosediscussed with reference to FIGS. 1-21B, or variations thereof, the tipscan comprise one or more rigid, semi-rigid and/or flexible materials,including without limitation, plastic or other polymers, metal (e.g.,stainless steel), alloys, rubber, other synthetic or natural materials,combination thereof and/or the like.

Another embodiment of a removable tip 660 is illustrated in FIGS. 9A-9F.As shown, the tip 660 can include a generally oval or oblong shape.However, the tip 660 can have a different overall shape, such as, forexample, circular, rectangular, other polygonal and/or the like, asdesired or required. In some arrangements, the tip 660 comprises a lip667, ridge or other feature along its outer periphery. As discussedherein with respect to the tip illustrated in FIGS. 8A-8F, such a lip667 can help create one or more spaces along the distal end 661 of thetip generally defined by the tip 660 and the skin surface being treated.

With further reference to FIGS. 9A, 9C and 9F, the distal end 661 of thetip 660 can include a spiral-shaped channel 682 generally formed by aridge 680 or other member. In the illustrated embodiment, the channel682 extends generally continuously from a central opening 670 throughwhich serums, other fluids and/or other materials conveyed to the tip660 may exit. As shown, the tip 660 can include one or more outletopenings 672A-672D to permit exfoliated skin, spent serums and otherfluids and/or any other waste materials to be removed from the distalend 661 of the tip 660. The outlet openings 672A-672D can be locatedwithin or near the channel 682 and/or anywhere else along the distal end661.

With continued reference to FIGS. 9A and 9C, the tip 660 can include aplurality of protruding members 674, 676 that extend along its distalend 661. As discussed with reference to FIGS. 8A-8F, such protrudingmembers 674, 676 can include relatively sharp edges that are configuredto remove skin. In the illustrated arrangement, the protruding members674, 676 include a generally cylindrical shape and are disposed alongthe outer portions of the tip 660. In addition, some of the protrudingmembers 676 can have a different diameter (or other comparabledimension), length or other dimension than other protruding members 674.However, the quantity, diameter or other dimensions, size, shape,spacing, location, orientation, density, layout and/or other propertiesof the protruding members 674, 676 can vary as desired or required by aparticular application or use.

In the depicted arrangement, since they are not in fluid communicationwith a vacuum or other suction force, some or all of the protrudingmembers 674, 676 are not hollow and/or do not include openingstherethrough. In other embodiments, however, one, some or all of theprotruding members 674, 676 are configured to be in fluid communicationwith a collection area 652 of the tip 660. As illustrated in FIGS. 9B,9D and 9F, the tip 660 can include an upper body portion 663A and alower body portion 663B. In some embodiments, the delivery stem 564through which serum, water, other liquids and/or other treatmentmaterials are delivered to the distal end 661 and one or more collectionareas 652 to which waste materials are directed can be housed within thelower body portion 663B. As discussed, the tip 660 depicted in FIGS.9A-9F and discussed herein, or variations thereof, can comprise anycombination of treatment elements and/or abrasive elements, as desiredor required by a particular application.

FIGS. 10A-10F illustrate another embodiment of a removable tip 760configured to be secured to a handpiece assembly. As with otherarrangements disclosed herein, the tip 760 preferably includes one ormore features that are adapted to remove skin during a treatmentprocedure. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the tip 760includes one or more pads 780A-780D or other members having a generallyabrasive surface. The abrasive surface can include grit, a plurality ofmembers (e.g., members similar to the protrusion members or postsdescribed and illustrated herein) and/or the like. In some embodiments,the pads 780A-780D and/or other abrasive members are selectivelyremovable from the tip 760. This permits users to advantageously changethe abrasive portion of a tip 760 without replacing the entire tip 760.A pad 780A-780D or other abrasive member can be secured to the tip 760using adhesives, snap connections, press-fit connections, hingedconnections, tabs, screws, rivets, other fasteners and/or any othermethod or device. For example, if a pad is attached to a tip using anadhesive layer or substance, the pad can be removed by physicallyscraping or otherwise separating the pad and adhesives from the adjacentsurfaces of the tip. Accordingly, a new pad or other abrasive member canthen be glued or otherwise attached to the tip. In other embodiments, asillustrated in FIGS. 19A-20D and discussed in greater detail herein, thetip can be configured to receive a removable pad comprising one or moreabrasive surfaces.

Tips comprising removable pads 780A-780D or other abrasive members canhelp enhance the flexibility of a skin treatment device or system. Forinstance, such pads can allow a user to make changes to the skintreatment properties of a tip without having to replace the entire tipor changing the tip design. For example, a user can selectively changethe roughness and/or abrasiveness of the tip by replacing only the pads780A-780D along the distal end 761.

With continued reference to FIGS. 10A and 10C, the tip 760 can comprisea plurality of separate pads 780A-780D or other abrasive members.Alternatively, the tip 760 can include more or fewer (e.g., one, two,three, four, five, more than five, etc.) pads 780A-780D, as desired orrequired by a particular application or use. The pads 780A-780D or othermembers can be sized, shaped, oriented and/or otherwise configured tocover all, most or some of the distal end 761 of the tip 760.

As with other tip arrangements discussed and/or illustrated herein, thetip 760 depicted in FIGS. 10A-10F comprises an opening 770 along itsdistal end 761 that is in fluid communication with a delivery stem 764or other conduit. Thus, serums, water, other fluids and/or any othermaterials can be delivered to the distal end 761 of the tip 760 throughone or more such openings 770. In addition, the tip 760 can include oneor more outlet openings 772A, 772B through which exfoliated skin, spentserums, other fluids and/or any other waste materials can be removedfrom the distal end 761. As illustrated in the cross-sectional view ofFIG. 10F, such waste materials can be conveyed to one or more collectionareas 752 within an interior portion of the tip 760 throughcorresponding waste channels 773A, 773B or other conduits.Alternatively, waste fluids and other materials can be directed to acollection area 752 without a dedicated waste channel of conduit 773A,773B (see FIGS. 8A-8F and 9A-9F).

With continued reference to FIG. 10F, the tip 760 can include an outerlip 767 or other peripheral member that is configured to create anenclosed space 790 when the tip 760 is generally positioned againstskin. As discussed, the application of an adequate vacuum or othersuction force to such an enclosed space 790 can help remove spentfluids, exfoliated skin and other waste materials from the distal end761 of the tip, while simultaneously drawing serums and/or othertreatment fluids or materials toward the tip (e.g., from a cartridge viaa delivery stem 764).

As discussed, any of the tip embodiments disclosed herein, including butnot limited to those illustrated in FIGS. 1-21B, can be configured sothat the flow direction of serums, other fluids and/or other materialspassing through the various conduits, channels, passages or otherhydraulic components of such tips can be selectively reversed, asdesired or required. For example, a tip, along with the handpieceassembly to which it is attached, can be configured so that fluidsand/or other materials pass through one or more centrally-locatedpassages, conduits or other portions thereof. Alternatively, the tip andhandpiece assembly can be configured so that fluids and/or othermaterials pass through one or more non-centrally located (e.g.,peripheral, offset, etc.) passages, conduits or other portions thereof.

Further, the connection and/or other hydraulic details of the tip andadjacent portions of the handpiece assembly can vary, as desired orrequired. For example, as discussed with reference to the embodiment ofFIGS. 5A-5C, the adjustable distal portion of the handpiece assembly caninclude a nozzle or other protruding member that is configured to besecured within a recess or other corresponding portion of the tip tomechanically connect and place the two members in fluid communicationwith one another. However, in other arrangements, such as, for example,those illustrated in FIGS. 3A-4B, a nozzle or other protruding portionof the tip is adapted to be secured within a corresponding area of theadjustable distal portion of the handpiece assembly. Thus, the size,shape, general design, other connection and/or hydraulic details and/orother characteristics of any of the embodiments of a tip, handpieceassembly and/or other components of a skin treatment system disclosedherein, or variations thereof, can be modified, as desired or required.

Although only certain embodiments of tips are illustrated and discussedherein, any other tip configurations or designs can be used on ahandpiece assembly to perform a skin treatment procedure. As discussed,in some embodiments, the tips are removable, allowing a user toselectively interchange tips either during a procedure or betweenprocedures, as desired or required by a particular application. In otherarrangements, tips are more permanently or semi-permanently attached tothe handpiece assembly. Additional embodiments of tips are disclosed inU.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/392,348, filed on Mar. 29, 2006 andpublished on Jul. 5, 2007 as U.S. Publication No. 2007/0156124, and U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/699,220, filed on Oct. 27, 2000 andissued on Oct. 7, 2003 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,629,983, the entireties ofboth of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, or variations thereof, thetip, the handpiece assembly and/or any other component or device caninclude rigid and/or semi-rigid materials. For example, a tip cancomprise plastic, another polymeric material, rubber, metal and/or thelike. Accordingly, the tips and/or other portions of the handpieceassembly can be manufactured using any suitable method, such as, forexample, injection or compression molding, thermoforming, other moldingmethods, casting and/or the like. The tips can be disposable so thatthey are used once or only for a limited number of times. Alternatively,if properly treated, the tips can be reused. Therefore, in suchembodiments, the tips are preferably configured to withstand therequired cleaning, sterilizing, disinfecting and/or other treatmentprocedures to which they may be exposed.

Any of the tips disclosed herein can be used in wet and/or dry systems.In general, wet systems include skin treatment devices, assemblies orsystems in which serums, water, other fluids and/or other materials areconveyed, either continuously or intermittently, to the tip during aprocedure. As discussed in greater detail herein, such fluids and/orother materials can be delivered through the handpiece assembly, tipand/or other components of the skin treatment system in their final,usable form. In other arrangements, such materials and/or substances arepositioned on the tip and/or other portions the system (e.g., as solids,gels, concentrated solutions, etc.) and are adapted to be dissolved,diluted, mixed or otherwise combined with water (e.g., distilled, tapwater, sterile, filtered, etc.), saline, other dilutants or dissolventsand/or other fluids to prepare them for use. On the other hand, drysystems can include skin treatment devices, assemblies and systems inwhich fluids and/or other materials are generally not conveyed to thetip during the procedure.

As discussed, one or more fluids and/or other substances can bedelivered to the tip of a handpiece assembly during a skin treatmentprocedure. In some embodiments, such fluids and/or other materials arestored within a cartridge (e.g., vial, ampoule, other container, etc.)that is secured to or within the handpiece assembly. Alternatively,these fluids and/or other materials can be stored in a canister or othercontainer that is separate from the handpiece assembly. In sucharrangements, as discussed herein with reference to FIGS. 6B and 7, thehandpiece assembly can be placed in fluid communication with one or morecontainers using conduits or other fluid lines.

In some embodiments, human growth factors, cytokines, soluble collagen,antioxidants, matrix proteins, serums, water (e.g., distilled, tapwater, filtered, etc.), saline, other dilutants or dissolvents,vitamins, chemical exfoliation agents, lotions, soothing agents,brightening or lightening agents, peptides, peeling agents, acids,anesthetics, medicants, other non-active or active compounds, otherfluids or materials, combination or mixtures thereof and/or any othersubstance are selectively delivered to the skin during a treatmentprocedure. Such materials can be delivered individually or as part of amixture. Such materials or combination of materials can be provided in acartridge or other container, which, as discussed, can be placed influid communication with a handpiece assembly. These treatment fluidsand other materials, either alone or in combination, can help reduce theappearance of wrinkles, fine lines, age spots, scarring and/or otherskin conditions. In addition, such fluids and/or other materials canhelp to reduce skin roughness, thereby facilitating rejuvenation of theskin and/or improving skin texture. Further, such fluids or othertreatment materials can provide one or more other therapeutic, comfort,anesthetic, aesthetic or other benefits to a user or his or her skin.

In any of the embodiments described and/or illustrated herein, orvariations thereof, treatment fluids and/or other materials can bedelivered to the tip of a handpiece assembly using one or more devicesor methods. For example, in some embodiments, such substances areselectively delivered through a cartridge, supply canister, fluidbottle, combinations thereof and/or the like. Such serums, compositions,other fluids and/or other materials or substances can be pre-mixed sothat they are delivered to the tip and the skin unmodified orsubstantially unmodified.

As discussed in greater detail herein, in some embodiments, human growthfactors, cytokines, soluble collagen, antioxidants, matrix proteins,serums, water (e.g., distilled, tap water, filtered, etc.), saline,other dilutants or dissolvents, vitamins, chemical exfoliation agents,lotions, soothing agents, brightening or lightening agents, peptides,peeling agents, acids, anesthetics, medicants, other non-active oractive compounds, other fluids or materials, combination or mixturesthereof and/or any other substance are provided to users as a pack or inother forms. For example, such materials and other substances can beprovided as a solid (e.g., tablet, capsule, etc.), dry granularmaterials, viscous gels, concentrated fluids or other solutions and/orthe like. Such packs or other solids, semi-solid, gelatinous and/orother substances can be configured to be combined or mixed with water,saline and/or some other fluid by a user to achieve a desired endproduct or concentration.

In other embodiments, one or more treatment materials can beimpregnated, embedded, deposited or otherwise positioned within and/oron the tips and any other portion of a handpiece assembly. Thus, suchmaterials (e.g., powders, tablets, capsules, other solids, granularmaterials, gels, etc.) can advantageously dissolve, melt, break down orotherwise transform when they are contacted by water, saline, otherdilutants, dissolvents and/or other liquids or fluids delivered to thetip (e.g., through the handpiece assembly, by an external fluid source,etc.) In other arrangements, the treatment materials are containedwithin a capsule, tablet or other enclosure. Such enclosures can beconfigured to dissolve when placed in water or some other fluid.Therefore, a user may be required to place a capsule, the contents of apack or some other materials into a cartridge, canister or othercontainer and add or otherwise supply water, saline, other fluids and/orother dissolvent before use.

FIG. 11 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of a tip 1160configured to be secured to the distal end of a handpiece assembly. Asshown, the tip 1160 can include one or more fluid inlet openings 1172through which water, saline, other dilutants or dissolvents, otherfluids and/or other materials can be selectively delivered to the tip,in accordance with the various embodiments disclosed herein. Further,the tip 1160 can include one or more outlet openings (not shown) throughwhich exfoliated skin, spent serums or other fluids, debris and/or otherwaste materials can be removed away from the skin surface being treated.

With continued reference to FIG. 11, the tip 1160 can additionallycomprise a plurality of protruding members 1174, 1176 positioned alongits distal end and within the interior of the tip's outer lip member1167. As discussed, such protruding members 1174, 1176 can be posts orother cylindrically-shaped objects. In some embodiments, the protrudingmembers 1174, 1176 comprise relatively sharp edges that are configuredto remove skin when the tip is moved relative to a skin surface. Theprotruding members 1174, 1176 can have relatively sharp planing blades.The plurality of protruding members 1174, 1176 can ablate or roughenareas of the skin being treated.

According to some embodiments, some or all of the posts 1174, 1776 orother protruding members comprise one or more materials or othersubstances D. For example, the posts can be at least partially filledwith dried or granular materials, tablets, capsules, powders, gels,concentrated liquids and/or other substances that are configured todissolve, melt, soften, dilute, disperse, mix or otherwise be removedfrom an interior of the protruding members 1174, 1176. Such materials orother substances, which can be provided in one or more different formsor phases (e.g., liquid, solid, gel, etc.), can include, withoutlimitation, human growth factors, cytokines, collagen, antioxidants,matrix proteins, serums, vitamins, chemical exfoliation agents, lotions,soothing agents, brightening or lightening agents (e.g., kojic acid),peptides, peeling agents, acids, anesthetics, medicants, othernon-active or active compounds, other fluids or materials, combinationor mixtures thereof and/or the like.

With continued reference to FIG. 11, as water (e.g., distilled, tapwater, filtered, etc.), saline, other dilutants or dissolvents, otherfluids and/or the like are selectively delivered through the handpieceassembly and through one or more openings 1172 of the tip 1160, thevarious materials and/or other substances D situated within the posts1174, 1176 can be dissolved, diluted and/or otherwise mixed to form adesired solution or mixture. Thus, a tip 1160 can be customized for aparticular skin treatment procedure by including one or more desired orrequired substances within the protruding members and/or other cavitiesof the tip 1160. Accordingly, the various solutions conveyed, dissolvedand/or otherwise generated at or near the tip 1160 can used to achieve adesired result, such as, for example, providing vitamins, growthfactors, soothing agents or lotions, healing agents and/or othersubstances to treated skin, moisturizing the skin, enhancing the comfortof the person being treated and/or the like. Further, such materialsimpregnated or otherwise disposed on the tip can be customized to targeta particular treatment procedure or phase, skin type, skin ailment orcondition and/or the like.

Providing the desired materials and/or other substances on the tip canhelp simplify a microdermabrasion or other skin treatment procedure. Forinstance, in such embodiments, the user may only need to provide water,saline and/or some other basic fluid to perform the procedure. Thus, theneed to deliver separate serums, other fluids and/or materials throughthe handpiece assembly (e.g., using a manifold system, a cartridge,etc.) can be advantageously eliminated or simplified. As a result, thelikelihood of a user making mistakes can be reduced or eliminated. Inaddition, by delivering only water, saline and/or other relatively cleanfluids through the various delivery conduits, passages, ports, openingsand other hydraulic components of the tip, handpiece assembly and othercomponents of a skin treatment system, the need to periodically cleanthe various devices and other equipment can be advantageously reduced oreliminated. Thus, the effective life of the skin treatment system can beextended. Relatedly, the likelihood of potentially dangerous orundesirable cross-contamination between the various serums, agents,other fluids and/or other materials can also be reduced or eliminated.

FIG. 12A illustrates one embodiment of a tip 1260 comprising a pluralityof recesses 1280 or other openings located along its distal surface. Asshown, such recesses 1280 or other openings can be positioned along anouter periphery of the tip's distal surface. However, in alternativeembodiments, one or more recesses 1280 are located between the posts1274, 1276, 1278 and/or at any other location, either in lieu of or inaddition to the recesses 1280 being positioned along an outer peripheryof the tip. Such recesses or other openings can be configured to includeone or more solids, gels, concentrated solution, dissolvable materialsand/or other substances D therein.

With reference to the cross-sectional view of FIG. 12B, the recesses caninclude a semi-circular, curvate or other rounded shape. In certainembodiments, the recesses 1280 are at least partially filled with driedor granular materials D, tablets, capsules, powders, gels, concentratedliquids and/or other substances that are configured to at leastpartially dissolve, melt, soften, dilute, disperse, mix or otherwise beremoved from an interior of the recesses or other openings. As discussedherein with reference to other embodiments, such materials or othersubstances, which can be provided in one or more different forms orphases (e.g., liquid, solid, gel, etc.), can include, withoutlimitation, human growth factors, cytokines, collagen, antioxidants,matrix proteins, serums, vitamins, chemical exfoliation agents, lotions,soothing agents, brightening or lightening agents, peptides, peelingagents, acids, anesthetics, medicants, other non-active or activecompounds, other fluids or materials, combination or mixtures thereofand/or the like.

The quantity, size, depth, shape, capacity, location, spacing and/orother details of the recesses or other openings positioned along one ormore tip surfaces can vary, as desired or required. For example, in thetip arrangement of FIG. 12C, the illustrated recess 1280′ includes agenerally rectangular cross-sectional shape. However, a recess or otheropening can include any other cross-sectional shape, such as, forexample, triangular, other polygonal, irregular and/or the like.

In alternative embodiments, the desired solids D, other dry or semi-drymaterials, gels, concentrated materials and/or other substances areincluded within a cartridge or other container. As illustrated in FIGS.13A and 13B, such a cartridge 1290 or other container can be secured toone or more portions of the tip 1260″. In the depicted arrangement, thecartridge 1290 is situated below the top surface 1261″ of the tip 1260″and aligned with one or more openings 1280″ of the top surface 1261″.Accordingly, the solids, gels, fluids and/or other materials orsubstances stored within an interior of the cartridge 1290 can beconfigured to exit the cartridge 1290 through one or more openings 1280″of the tip's top surface 1261″. In some embodiments, the cartridge orother container 1290 includes one or more slots, perforations, orificesor other openings through which the various materials D can exit.Alternatively, the cartridge 1290 can include one or more poroussurfaces that allow the internal contents D to freely exit the cartridge1290. Thus, the cartridge 1290 can include a outer cage, a perforated orother porous surface and/or the like.

With continued reference to FIG. 13A, water (e.g., distilled, tap water,filtered, etc.), saline, other dilutants or dissolvents and/or otherfluids that are delivered to the tip 1260″ (e.g., through one or moreopenings 1272″ along the top surface 1261″ of the tip 1260″) can beconfigured to enter into an interior 1291 of the cartridge 1290 throughone or more openings 1280″. Accordingly, the materials and/or othersubstances D contained within the cartridge 1290 can be at leastpartially dissolved, melted, diluted, reacted and/or otherwise mixed orcombined with the water, saline or other fluids. This can facilitate thecontrolled removal of these materials D toward the distal workingsurface of the tip 1260″.

As illustrated in FIG. 13B, the cartridge 1290 can have a generallytoroidal or donut-shape. In some embodiments, the cartridge 1290 orother container is configured to be positioned within an interiorportion of the tip 1260″. The cartridge 1290 can be secured to the tip1260″ using a friction fit connection, one or more mechanical featuresor devices (e.g., threads, clips, screws, tabs, etc.) and/or any otherattachment device or method. In addition, the shape, size, orientationrelative to the tip 1260″ and/or any other characteristics of thecartridge 1290 can be different than illustrated in FIGS. 13A and 13B.For instance, the cartridge 1290 or other container can have a generallyrectangular, circular or any other shape. Further, the cartridge 1290can be configured so that it does not extend around the entire perimeterof the tip 1260″. In other embodiments, a cartridge or other containercomprising solids, gels and/or other materials is positioned along adifferent portion of the tip, such as, for example, at or near thecenter, locations between the center and the periphery and/or the like.

FIG. 14A schematically illustrates an embodiment of a disc 1390, capsuleor other item comprising one or more solids, other dried or partiallydried substances, gels, concentrated solutions and/or the like. Thesematerials can comprise some, most or the entire portion of the disc 1390or other item. Alternatively, the materials can be embedded, impregnatedand/or otherwise situated on or within one or more portions or areas(e.g., surface) of the disc 1390 or other item. In other embodiments,such solids, gels and/or other materials are provided in a cartridge orother container that includes one or more openings through which thesubstances may exit (e.g., in their original form, after being at leastpartially dissolved, diluted or otherwise mixed with water or anotherfluid, etc.).

With continued reference to FIG. 14A, the disc 1390, capsule or otheritem can be sized, shaped and otherwise configured to be positionedbetween the tip 1360 and the main body portion 1300 of a handpieceassembly. According to some embodiments, the disc 1390 or other itemincludes an opening 1394 or other feature that is adapted to engage andsecure to one or more regions of the tip 1360, the main body portion1300 and/or any other area of a handpiece assembly. In certainarrangements, the disc 1390 is maintained in a desired orientation whenthe tip 1360 is properly connected to the main body portion 1300 of thehandpiece assembly. However, a desired or required position of a disc1390, capsule or any other items comprising one or more solids, gels,concentrated solutions or other fluids and/or other materials can bemaintained using any other attachment method or device.

FIGS. 14B and 14C illustrate one embodiment of a disc 1390, capsule orother item comprising one or more human growth factors, cytokines,soluble collagen, antioxidants, matrix proteins, serums, vitamins,chemical exfoliation agents, lotions, soothing agents, brightening orlightening agents, peptides, peeling agents, acids, anesthetics,medicants, other non-active or active compounds, other fluids ormaterials, combination or mixtures thereof and/or other substances. Forexample, as discussed, such materials can be provided on or within thedisc 1390 (e.g., along an exterior surface, within an interior portion,etc.).

According to some embodiments, the disc 1390 includes a center opening1394 to permit the disc 1390 to be positioned over a stem 1364 extendingwithin an interior of the tip 1360. In the illustrated arrangement, thestem 1364 comprises an outlet conduit or channel that is configured toremove exfoliated skin, spent treatment materials and other debris awayfrom the distal end of the tip 1360. However, as discussed herein withreference to the tip of FIGS. 15A and 15B, the stem 1364 can include oneor more conduits or channels that are configured to deliver water,saline, other dissolvents, dissolvents, dissolving agents and/or otherfluids toward the skin surface being treated.

With continued reference to FIGS. 14B and 14C, the disc 1390, capsule,cartridge or container or other item comprising the desired materialscan be configured to be removably fixed to the stem 1364 of the tip 1360using a press-fit or other friction connection. For example, in someembodiments, the disc 1390 can be positioned far enough into an interiorof the tip 1360 so that the exterior surface of the tip's stem 1364frictionally engages the inner surface of the disc's opening 1394.However, as discussed, one or more other attachment methods or devicescan be used in addition to or in lieu of such a friction or press fitconnection in order to secure the disc 1390 to the tip 1360.

Once the disc 1390, capsule or other member has been properly secured tothe tip 1360, as depicted in FIG. 14C, the tip 1360 can be attached tothe distal end of the handpiece assembly (e.g., adjustable distalportion). Thus, water (e.g., distilled, tap water, filtered, etc.),saline, other dilutants or dissolvents or other fluids being deliveredto the tip 1360 can be configured to contact the various substances(e.g., tablets, capsules, other solids, granulated materials, gels,concentrated solutions or other materials, etc.) situated on or withinthe disc 1390. Such materials and other substances can be advantageouslydissolved, diluted, melted, softened and/or otherwise conditioned sothat they are delivered to the distal end of the tip 1360 through one ormore conduits 1368 of the tip 1360. As a result, human growth factors,cytokines, soluble collagen, antioxidants, matrix proteins, serums,water (e.g., distilled, tap water, filtered, etc.), saline, otherdilutants or dissolvents, vitamins, chemical exfoliation agents,lotions, soothing agents, brightening or lightening agents, peptides,peeling agents, acids, anesthetics, medicants, other non-active oractive compounds, other fluids or materials, combination or mixturesthereof and/or any other substance can be advantageously delivered tothe skin being treated, as desired or required.

According to some embodiments, water, saline or other fluids areconfigured to flow past the exterior surfaces of the disc 1390, capsuleor other item. Thus, solids, gels, fluids and/or other materialsimpregnated on such surfaces, positioned within recesses or otheropenings in fluid communication with such surfaces and/or the like canbe transferred to the skin surface being treated. In alternativeembodiments, the solids, gels, fluids and/or other materials arepositioned within an interior cavity of the disc 1390 or other item. Forexample, the disc 1390 or capsule can comprise a cage or other porousstructure that is configured to house one or more dissolvable ordilutable solids or gels. Therefore, water, saline and/or other fluidscan be adapted to travel through one or more openings of the disc 1390or other member in order to contact the various materials containedtherein. Accordingly, the disc 1390 can be configured to lose mass overtime as water or other fluids dissolve, dilute or otherwise combine withthe materials positioned on or within the disc 1390. In alternativeembodiments, the disc 1390 (e.g., cage, container having one or moreopenings, etc.) or other item secured within the tip 1360 is adapted tomaintain its shape over time if such a disc is used to merely containthe solids, gels, fluids and/or other materials that will be selectivelytransported toward the distal end of the tip 1360.

Such discs 1390, capsules, containers or other items can be used inconjunction with any of the tip designs illustrated or discussed herein,or variations thereof. Further, the size, shape, general configuration,location relative to the tip or other adjacent portions of the handpieceassembly and/or any other characteristics of the disc 1390 can vary, asdesired or required. For instance, the disc 1390 can include anon-circular shape (e.g., rectangular, triangular, other polygonal,elliptical, etc.). Further, the disc 1390 can include a curved or flutedsurface. In other arrangements, a disc 1390 does not extend completelyaround a stem 1464 or other central portion of the tip interior. Thus,the disc 1390 can be asymmetrically positioned relative to the stem 1464or tip centerline. In another embodiment, the disc 1390 is positioned ononly one side of the stem 1464.

Another embodiment of a disc 1490 that is configured to be secured to atip 1460 of a handpiece assembly is illustrated in FIGS. 15A and 15B. Asshown, the flow through the stem 1464 and the various conduits 1468 ofthe tip 1460 is generally reversed from the configuration of FIGS.14A-14C. However, similar to the arrangement of FIGS. 14A-14C, thedepicted disc 1490, capsule or other item is configured to secure to anexterior portion of the stem 1464.

With continued reference to FIGS. 15A and 15B, the solids, gels,concentrated fluids and/or other materials contained within an interiorof the disc 1490 can be configured to come into contact with water,saline, other dilutants or dissolvents and/or other fluids beingconveyed through the internal passage of the stem 1464. Accordingly,such materials can be dissolved, diluted, softened, mixed and/orotherwise combined with such fluids before being carried to the distalend of the tip 1460.

The final products being delivered to the skin can include, withoutlimitation, human growth factors, cytokines, soluble collagen,antioxidants, matrix proteins, serums, water (e.g., distilled, tapwater, filtered, etc.), saline, other dilutants or dissolvents,vitamins, chemical exfoliation agents, lotions, soothing agents,brightening or lightening agents, peptides, peeling agents, acids,anesthetics, medicants, other non-active or active compounds, otherfluids or materials, combination or mixtures thereof and/or any othersubstance. Alternatively, such solids, gels and/or other materials canbe impregnated or otherwise positioned along one or more exteriorsurfaces of the disc 1490 (e.g., along the inner diameter of the opening1494). As discussed with reference to other embodiments disclosedherein, the disc 1490 can be partially or completely formed from suchdissolvable or removable materials, so that it loses mass over time(e.g., as water or other liquids come in contact with it). In otherembodiments, the disc 1490 comprises a porous container (e.g., cage)that is configured to house one or more solids, gels and/or othermaterials therein. In such arrangements, the disc 1490 can be removed,refilled, replaced and/or reused, as desired or required.

In FIGS. 15A and 15B, the stem 1464 of the tip comprises one or moreside openings 1465 through which the materials and other substancescontained on and/or within the disc 1490 may exit. Further, suchopenings 1465 can permit water, saline and/or other fluids beingconveyed through the stem to enter an interior of the disc 1490 in orderto advantageously dissolve, dilute and/or otherwise mix with the variousmaterials contained therein. In some embodiments, the disc 1490 includesone or more openings that generally correspond to and align with theside openings 1465 of the stem 1460. Alternatively, the disc 1490,capsule or other item can comprise a cage or other porous structure topermit the various solids, gels, concentrated fluids and/or othermaterials contained therein to pass toward the opening 1465 of the stem1464. Such materials and substances can be dissolved, diluted orotherwise mixed with water, saline and/or other fluids either within aninterior cavity of the disc 1490, along an exterior portion of the disc,within the passage of the stem 1464 and/or at any other location orportion of the tip 1460.

With reference to the schematic of FIG. 16A, a disc 1590, capsule orother item can be secured to a distal end of the main body portion 1500of the handpiece assembly. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 16B, acentral opening 1566 of the disc 1590 can be positioned over a nozzle1566 or other protruding member of the handpiece assembly. As discussedwith reference to other embodiments herein, including the discs of FIGS.14A-14C, 15A and 15B, exterior and/or interior portions of the disc 1590can include one or more solids, granulated materials, semi-solids, gels,concentrated fluids and/or other substances that are configured to becontacted by water, saline, other dilutants or dissolvents and/or otherfluids. The resulting materials that are selectively delivered to thedistal end of the tip 1560 (e.g., through one or more delivery passagesor conduits 1568) can include, without limitation, growth factors,cytokines, soluble collagen, antioxidants, matrix proteins, serums,brightening or lightening agents, peptides, acid, water (e.g.,distilled, tap water, filtered, etc.), saline, other dilutants ordissolvents, vitamins, chemical exfoliation agents, lotions, soothingagents, anesthetics, medicants, other non-active or active compounds,other fluids or materials, combination or mixtures thereof and/or anyother substance.

FIG. 17 schematically illustrates one embodiment of a handpiece assembly1700 which is in fluid communication with a vacuum V or other suctionforce via a vacuum line 1704. In addition, the depicted assembly is influid communication with one or more containers 1710, 1720 via adelivery line 1702. As discussed herein, the delivery line 1702 can beplaced in fluid communication with one or more different treatmentmaterials, such as, for example, growth factors, cytokines, solublecollagen, antioxidants, matrix proteins, serums, water, saline, otherdilutants or dissolvents, vitamins, chemical exfoliation agents,lotions, soothing agents, brightening or lightening agents, peptides,peeling agents, acids, anesthetics, medicants, other non-active oractive compounds, other fluids or materials, combination or mixturesthereof and/or any other substance. Such materials can be selectivelytransferred from their respective containers, through the delivery lineand to the handpiece assembly 1700 in their usable, ready-to-use form(e.g., with the concentration and other manner in which they will bedelivered to the skin surface being treated).

Alternatively, water (e.g., tap, filtered, sterile, distilled, etc.),saline, other dilutants or dissolvents and/or other fluids can be storedwithin one or more of the containers 1710, 1720 located upstream of thehandpiece assembly 1700. As discussed, such liquids and other fluids canbe selectively delivered to the handpiece assembly 1700 in order todissolve, dilute and/or mix with solids, gels, concentrated fluids,other materials and/or the like that are impregnated, deposited, storedor otherwise situated on or near the tip 1760.

In other embodiments, one or more of the upstream containers (e.g.,container 1710 in FIG. 17) can be configured to store a cleaningsolution. Accordingly, such solutions or other cleaning agents can beselectively conveyed through the delivery conduits 1702 and otherinterior portions of the handpiece assembly 1700, the tip 1760 and/orany other component or portion of a skin treatment system as part of acleaning protocol. For example, the cleaning solutions and other agentscan be used between skin treatment procedures, during a skin treatmentprocedure, in accordance with some predetermined cleaning schedule(e.g., once a day, once every two or three days, once a week, etc.), inaccordance with some other desired or required protocol (e.g., tosatisfy regulatory requirements, quality control standards, etc.) and/orthe like. In some embodiments, the cleaning agents include biocides,antimicrobial solutions, disinfectants, other sterilizing agents and/orthe like. Such a configuration that includes a handpiece assembly influid communication with one or more cleaning solutions or agents can beincorporated into any of the embodiments disclosed herein, or variationsthereof.

The schematic of FIG. 18A illustrates one embodiment of a skin treatmentsystem that includes a handpiece assembly 1800A, a suction line 1804A influid communication with a vacuum or other suction source and a deliveryline 1802A in fluid communication with one or more fluids, materials orother substances. As shown, the delivery line 1802A can include acartridge holder 1830A or other device configured to accept a container1840A. In some arrangements, the cartridge holder 1830A is sized, shapedand otherwise adapted to securely receive a standard or non-standardvial, ampoule and/or any other container 1840A. In certainconfigurations, such containers comprise one or more treatment fluids orother materials that can be selectively transferred to the tip 1860Aduring a procedure. As discussed, these substances can include, withoutlimitation, growth factors, cytokines, soluble collagen, antioxidants,matrix proteins, brightening or lightening agents, peptides, peelingagents, acids, serums, water, saline, other dilutants or dissolvents,vitamins, chemical exfoliation agents, lotions, soothing agents,anesthetics, medicants, other non-active or active compounds, otherfluids or materials, combination or mixtures thereof and/or the like.

According to certain embodiments, the fluids and/or other materialsincluded in the cartridge 1840A are in their final, ready-to-use state.Thus, the contents of a cartridge 1840A can be directly delivered to thetip 1860A (e.g., as a result of a suction force imparted on the deliveryline 1802A) without being diluted, dissolved or mixed with any otherfluid or substance. Alternatively, a cartridge 1840A can comprisesolids, granulated materials, gels, concentrated solutions and/or thelike that are adapted to be combined with one or more fluids, otherdissolvents or dilutants and/or other fluids (e.g., water, saline,etc.). For instance, such fluids can be conveyed from the upstreamdelivery line and combined with the internal contents of a cartridge1840A or other container when such a cartridge 1840 is properlypositioned within a holder 1830A.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 18A can provide a convenient way ofselectively loading and unloading treatment fluids and/or othermaterials prior to, during or following a procedure. In someembodiments, fluids and/or other materials (e.g., water, other treatmentfluids or substances, etc.) are configured to be conveyed through thecartridge holder 1830A from an upstream source even if a cartridge 1840Aor other container is not positioned within the cartridge holder 1830A.

FIG. 18B illustrates a variation of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 18A.As shown, a standard or non-standard cartridge 1840B or other containercan be configured to be selectively positioned within a correspondingslot or other receiving area 1830 of the handpiece assembly 1800B. Asdiscussed with reference to FIG. 18A, the cartridge 1840A can compriseone or more treatment agents, fluids, materials and/or other substances.Such substances can be provided in their final, ready-to-use state.Alternatively, such materials can be provided as solids, granulatedmaterials, gels, concentrated solutions and/or other forms that requirecontact and/or mixing with water, saline or the like before they areready for use (e.g., prior to being delivered to the tip 1860 of thehandpiece assembly, prior to contacting the skin, etc.). The embodimentsillustrated in FIGS. 18A and 18B can be incorporated into any of theembodiments of a skin treatment system disclosed herein, or variationsthereof.

FIG. 19A illustrates another embodiment of a handpiece assembly 1900adapted for use in a microdermabrasion or other skin treatment system.As shown, the handpiece assembly 1900 can include a main body portion1910 and a tip 1960 configured to removably attach to the distal end ofthe main body portion 1910. The main body portion 1910 can include oneor more conduits passing therethrough. In the depicted arrangement, themain body portion 1910 includes a single removal conduit 1950 which ispositioned at or near the longitudinal centerline of the handpieceassembly and which daylights at an opening 1952 at the distal end of themain body portion 1910. The removal conduit 1950 can be placed in fluidcommunication with a vacuum or other suction source using a wasteconduit 1954 to selectively transfer exfoliated skin, spent treatmentfluids, debris and other waste materials away from the tip 1960.

With continued reference to FIG. 19A, the distal end of the tip 1960 caninclude one or more openings 1980 defined within a peripheral lip 1967.According to certain arrangements, the handpiece assembly 1900 is sized,shaped and otherwise configured to receive a removable pad 1990A, 1990Bor other member within an interior of the tip 1960. Thus, as illustratedin FIGS. 19A and 19B, such a pad 1990A, 1990B or other member can begenerally positioned between the tip 1960 and the main body portion 1910when the tip 1960 is properly secured to the handpiece assembly 1900.The pads can have a diameter (or other cross-sectional dimension) thatis greater than the opening 1980 along the distal end of the tip 1960.Accordingly, the pad 1990A, 1990B or other member can be securelyretained below the opening 1980 and within the tip 1960 during use.

As illustrated in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 19B, an upper surfaceof the pad 1990 can be configured to contact a skin surface S throughthe tip opening 1980 during use. Thus, in some embodiments, the uppersurface of a pad is configured to exfoliate skin when it is translatedor otherwise moved relative to a skin surface. The pad 1990 can comprisefoam and/or any other materials. In one arrangement, the pad 1990comprises one or more polymeric materials. However, the pads or otherdevice can include one or more other natural or synthetic materials,either in lieu of or in addition to plastics and other polymers, asrequired to achieve a desired texture, coarseness, roughness and/orother exfoliation characteristics.

In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 19A, the upper and/or lowersurfaces 1992B of the pad 1990B include a texture that is coarser thanother portions of the pad 1990B. For example, the pad 1990B can includegrit, a sandpaper-like finish, an uneven finish, harder or more rigidmaterials and/or the like along its upper and/or lower surfaces 1992B.Such a configuration can further enhance the skin exfoliating propertiesof the pad. In arrangements where it includes both upper and lowertextured surfaces 1992B, the pad 1990B can be flipped to selectivelyplace the desired surface 1992B along the distal end of the tip 1960.For example, after the first surface 1992B has been used for aparticular time period or after the effectiveness of the first surface1992B has generally diminished or deteriorated, a user can remove thetip 1960 and turn the pad 1990B around to expose the second surface1992B to the skin surface S being treated. This can effectively extendthe useful life of a pad. In other embodiments, however, a pad 1990A caninclude one or no textured surfaces. For instance, a pad 1990A withoutany roughened surfaces can be used as a final, polishing skin surfacingstep. According to certain embodiments, a user can be provided with anassortment of pads 1990 each of which having varying skin surfacingcharacteristics. Thus, a user can customize his or her treatmentprocedure, as desired or required.

According to some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 19A, the pads arecylindrical is shape with generally flat upper and lower surfaces.However, the shape, size and/or other characteristics of the pads 1990can vary. The pad 1990 can serve an additional function by beingconfigured to filter some or all of the debris and other waste itembeing transferred from the distal end of the tip 1960 to the wasteopening 1952 and removal conduit 1950 of the main body portion 1910. Forexample, the pad 1990 can comprise foam or another porous structure thateffectively functions as a filter to help trap exfoliated skin and otherwaste materials. Thus, by preventing or reducing the amount of debrispassing to the removal conduit 1950, the pad 1990 can advantageouslyextend the life of the handpiece assembly 1900 and the downstreamcomponents of the skin treatment system (e.g., the waste container, thewaste line 1954, downstream filters, the vacuum or other suction source,etc.).

In some embodiments, a procedure may be enhanced by providing one ormore treatment fluids, serums and/or other materials to the skin surfacebeing treated. For example, as discussed in greater detail herein, itmay desirable to selectively provide human growth factors, cytokines,soluble collagen, antioxidants, matrix proteins, serums, water (e.g.,distilled, tap water, filtered, etc.), saline, other dilutants ordissolvents, vitamins, chemical exfoliation agents, lotions, soothingagents, anesthetics, medicants, other non-active or active compounds,other fluids or materials, combination or mixtures thereof and/or anyother substance to the tip 1960 of the handpiece assembly 1900. Asdiscussed, such fluids and/or other materials can be delivered to thetip 1960 using one or more delivery conduits, passages and otherhydraulic components of the handpiece assembly 1900.

However, in embodiments which do not include such passages, such as theone illustrated in FIGS. 19A and 19B, the desired fluids and/or othermaterials can be included within the pad 1990 or other device situatedbetween the tip 1960 and the main body portion 1910 of the assembly1900. Therefore, solids, gels, fluids and/or other materials includedwithin the pads 1990 can be advantageously excreted or discharged ontothe skin surface S during a treatment procedure. Such materials can bepositioned within the pad body (e.g., foam or other absorbentstructure), on the surface of the pad and/or at any location or regionof the pad, as desired or required.

In order to adequately maintain the desired treatment fluids and/orother materials within the pads 1990, the pads 1990 can be included inan enclosed pouch or other sealed container. This will help ensure thatthe desired materials remain within and/or on the pad 1990 until suchpads 1990 are inserted into a handpiece assembly 1900. In otherembodiments, the pads include one or more solids, granular materials,gels, concentrated fluids and/or other substances that are configured tobe contacted with water, saline, other dilutants or dissolvents and/orother fluids in order to convert them into a usable treatment materialor mixture. Thus, an external fluid source can be used with thehandpiece assembly 1900 of FIG. 19A. Alternatively, as discussed hereinwith reference to the embodiment of FIGS. 20A-20D and FIGS. 21A-21B, ahandpiece assembly can comprise one or more fluid delivery conduits ofits own. Additional information regarding tips configured to receive apad or other device is provided in U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/699,220, filed on Oct. 27, 2000 and issued on Oct. 7, 2003 as U.S.Pat. No. 6,629,983, the entireties of which is hereby incorporated byreference herein.

The handpiece assembly 2000 illustrated in FIGS. 20A-20D is similar tothe embodiment of FIGS. 19A and 19B. However, the depicted embodimentadditionally comprises a fluid delivery conduit 2040 that is configuredto deliver one or more fluids, treatment materials and/or the liketoward the skin surface being treated. As discussed in greater detailherein with reference to other arrangements, human growth factors,cytokines, soluble collagen, antioxidants, matrix proteins, serums,water (e.g., distilled, tap water, filtered, etc.), saline, otherdilutants or dissolvents, vitamins, chemical exfoliation agents,lotions, soothing agents, brightening or lightening agents, peptides,peeling agents, acids, anesthetics, medicants, other non-active oractive compounds, other fluids or materials, combination or mixturesthereof and/or any other substance can be delivered through the deliveryconduit 2040. In other embodiments, the delivery conduit 2040 is adaptedto convey water, saline, other dilutants or dissolvents and/or otherfluids to the tip 2060 where they can be selectively mixed, combined orcontacted with solids, semi-solids, gels, granulated materials,concentrated fluids or materials and/or the like in order to produce thedesired treatment materials. As discussed with reference to otherembodiments herein, such solids and/or other materials can be embedded,impregnated and/or otherwise disposed on, within or along the tip 2060,the pad 2090 (e.g., foam), a cartridge and/or any other component orportion which is in fluid communication with the handpiece assembly2000.

Another embodiment of a handpiece assembly 2100 is illustrated in FIGS.21A and 21B. The main body portion 2110 of the assembly 2100 can includea delivery conduit 2140 and a waste conduit 2150. According to someembodiments, these conduits 2140, 2150 are routed along an interior ofthe main body portion 2110. However, one or both of these conduits canbe positioned along the outside of the handpiece assembly 2100, asdesired or required. Further, a removable tip 2160 can be configured tobe secured along the distal end of the main body portion 2110.

With continued reference to FIGS. 21A and 21B, the tip 2160 can includea delivery zone 2182 or region and a waste zone 2190 or region. Asshown, these zones 2182, 2190 can be separated by a septum 2186 or othermember or feature. According to some embodiments, treatment fluidsand/or other materials, such as, for example, human growth factors,cytokines, soluble collagen, antioxidants, matrix proteins, serums,water (e.g., distilled, tap water, filtered, etc.), saline, otherdilutants or dissolvents, vitamins, chemical exfoliation agents,lotions, soothing agents, brightening or lightening agents (e.g., kojicacid), peptides, peeling agents, acids, anesthetics, medicants, othernon-active or active compounds, other fluids or materials, combinationor mixtures thereof and/or any other substances, are selectivelytransferred to the delivery zone 2182 via the delivery conduit 2140.Such fluids and/or other materials can originate from a cartridge (e.g.,located within the handpiece assembly 2100, positioned upstream of thehandpiece assembly 2100, etc.), a bottle or other container included asa part of a manifold system and/or any other source.

Alternatively, the delivery conduit 2140 can be configured to transferonly water, saline, other dilutants or dissolvents and/or otherrelatively clean fluids (e.g., fluids that have no solids or a lowconcentration of solids). In such configurations, as discussed ingreater detail herein with reference to other arrangements, solids,semi-solids, granular materials, gels, concentrated solutions and/orother materials configured to be combined with the water, saline orother fluids being conveyed through the delivery conduits 2140 can bepositioned within or near the delivery zone 2182. Thus, once water,saline and/or other fluids contact such materials, the desired orrequired treatment materials can be produced in the delivery zone 2182and brought to the skin surface being exfoliated.

With further reference to FIGS. 21A and 21B, exfoliated skin, spentfluids and other treatment materials, debris and other waste materialscan be removed from the tip 2160 to the waste conduit 22150 through thewaste zone 2190. According to some embodiments, one or both of the zones2182, 2190 include a pad or other member. For example, the delivery zone2182 can include a pad or other member to help distribute the treatmentfluids more evenly to the adjacent skin surface. In other arrangements,the pad or other member positioned within the delivery zone 2182 issaturated with or otherwise provided with solids, gels and/or othermaterials that can be selectively released to the skin once water orother fluids are conveyed to the delivery zone 2182. Likewise, the wastezone 2190 can include a pad or other member to help exfoliate skinand/or serve as a primary filter for the waste materials being carriedaway from the tip 2190.

In any of the embodiments of a handpiece assembly disclosed herein, orequivalent thereof, one or more of the various treatment materialsand/or other substances being conveyed to the skin surface can beselectively heated. Heating of fluids and/or other material streams to adesired temperature can help enhance one or more aspects of a skintreatment procedure. For example, in some arrangements, heated fluidsand/or other materials are generally better absorbed into a skinsurface, as the skin pores may be caused to open because of the elevatedtemperature. In other embodiments, heated fluids and other materialsadvantageously stimulate improved blood circulation along the skinsurface (e.g., dermis). Further, heating of water, saline and/or otherdilutants or dissolvents can help improve the manner in which solids,granulated materials, gels, concentrated fluids and/or other materialsimpregnated or otherwise positioned on a handpiece assembly dissolve,dilute and/or otherwise transform into the desired final product.

According to some embodiments, one or more heating devices or mechanismsare positioned within or on a handpiece assembly (e.g., the main bodyportion, the adjustable distal portion, the tip, etc.). In otherconfigurations, heaters are positioned upstream of the handpieceassembly, such as, for example, on or within a cartridge or othercontainer, a cartridge holder, fluid delivery lines and/or the like.

Fluid and/or other material streams being conveyed through a handpieceassembly can be heated conductively or convectively, as desired orrequired. Adequate heating devices or systems can include resistiveheaters, other electrical heaters and/or the like. In other embodiments,heated air or other fluids can be used to thermally transfer heat tofluids and/or other materials being delivered through a handpieceassembly. In addition, such heaters can include one or more sensors,feedback loops, controllers and/or other components to help maintain thetreatment materials being delivered to the skin surface at or near adesired temperature or within a desired range.

In some embodiments, one or more serums, other fluids and/or substancescan be selectively delivered to or near a treatment surface of ahandpiece assembly to help remedy a particular skin condition. Forexample, the system can be used to treat acne, dry or oily skin, finelines, sun-damaged skin, other skin diseases or disorders and/or like.Further, the serums, other fluids, other materials and/or mixturesthereof can be customized to target a particular disorder, ailment,other treatable or chronic condition, skin type and/or the like.

In another embodiment, serums, medicants, other fluids, other materials,combinations thereof and/or the like are used during a follow-up step orprocedure (e.g., secondary, tertiary, polishing, etc.) or post-treatmentphase. For example, such materials and/or mixtures can be used tohydrate the skin and/or lighten treat skin damage, either in lieu of orin addition to exfoliating skin. In any such embodiments, the serums orother fluids or materials can comprise human growth factors, cytokines,soluble collagen, matrix proteins, other proteins, anti-oxidants,hyaluronic acid, medicants and/or the like.

According to certain configurations, the serums, other fluids, othermaterials and/or mixtures thereof are used to target acne, oily skin,dry skin, other skin types and/or other skin conditions, diseases orailments. Further, a particular treatment procedure can utilize one, twoor more of such serums, medicants and/or other fluids, materials orsubstances during various treatment phases (e.g., exfoliation, finish orpolishing treatment, post-treatment, etc.).

One or more kits developed to target a specific type of user, skincondition, disease or ailment, desired result and/or the like can beprovided to a user. For example, such a kit can comprise serums,medicants, other fluids, other materials, mixtures thereof and/or thelike that target teenage acne. As discussed, the serums and/or othermaterials contained in such kits can be in one or more different forms,such as, for example, liquids, gels, other fluids, powders, dissolvabletablets or other packs, solids and/or the like. In some embodiments,such serums and/or other materials are configured for immediate use(e.g., by not requiring any dilution, premixing or other preparatorysteps by a user). Alternatively, a particular amount of water, saline orother liquids, other dilution or dissolving agents and/or the like mayneed to be added to achieve a usable product. Kits can include one ormore cartridges or other containers that are configured to be placedonto and removed from a handpiece assembly as discussed herein.

In addition, depending on who the target user is (e.g., teenagers,adults, etc.) and/or how severe a particular condition is, theconcentration or strength of the serums, medicants, other fluids ormaterials, mixtures thereof and/or the like can be selectively varied.For example, for younger users, a kit directed at acne treatment cancomprise lower concentrations of serums and/or other materials.According to another example, kits comprising higher concentrations orstrengths of serums, medicants and/or other substances can be used totreat oily skin or acne in adults. In other arrangements, a kit targetsusers whose skin is generally normal or typical (e.g., the users' skinis not abnormally dry or oily, the users do not have excessive amount ofacne or scarring, etc.).

As discussed, the kits can comprise one, two or more different types ofmedicants, other active or non-active agents, serums, other fluids,other materials, mixtures thereof and/or the like, as desired orrequired. For example, a kit can comprise a first combination ofserum(s) and/or other material(s) that is intended to be used during abasic skin exfoliation procedure. Further, a kit may include a secondtreatment combination that is used in a follow-up treatment to treatoily skin, dry skin, another skin type, a skin disease or ailment,another skin condition and/or the like. However, a kit may comprise moreor fewer treatment combinations, as desired or required by a particularskin treatment procedure.

The systems, apparatuses, devices and/or other articles disclosed hereinmay be formed through any suitable means. The various methods andtechniques described above provide a number of ways to carry out theinvention. Of course, it is to be understood that not necessarily allobjectives or advantages described may be achieved in accordance withany particular embodiment described herein. Thus, for example, thoseskilled in the art will recognize that the methods may be performed in amanner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantagesas taught herein without necessarily achieving other objectives oradvantages as may be taught or suggested herein.

Furthermore, the skilled artisan will recognize the interchangeabilityof various features from different embodiments disclosed herein.Similarly, the various features and steps discussed above, as well asother known equivalents for each such feature or step, can be mixed andmatched by one of ordinary skill in this art to perform methods inaccordance with principles described herein. Additionally, the methodswhich are described and illustrated herein are not limited to the exactsequence of acts described, nor are they necessarily limited to thepractice of all of the acts set forth. Other sequences of events oracts, or less than all of the events, or simultaneous occurrence of theevents, may be utilized in practicing the embodiments of the invention.

Although the invention has been disclosed in the context of certainembodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in theart that the invention extends beyond the specifically disclosedembodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses and obviousmodifications and equivalents thereof. Accordingly, it is not intendedthat the invention be limited, except as by the appended claims.

1. A device for treating a skin surface, comprising: a handpieceassembly having a distal end and a proximal end, the handpiece assemblycomprising at least one delivery conduit and at least one waste conduit;a recess within the handpiece assembly, said recess being configured toreceive a cartridge comprising an interior cavity; wherein the interiorcavity of the cartridge is placed in fluid communication with the fluiddelivery conduit when the cartridge is secured within the recess; and atip configured to be positioned along the distal end of the handpieceassembly, said tip being configured to contact the skin surface; whereinthe tip comprises a peripheral lip, a first opening in fluidcommunication with the fluid delivery conduit and a second opening influid communication with the waste conduit and an abrasive element;wherein the first opening, the second opening and the abrasive elementare positioned along an interior of the peripheral lip; wherein the atleast one waste conduit is configured to be in fluid communication witha vacuum to selectively remove debris away from the tip; and wherein theat least one delivery conduit is placed in fluid communication with theat least one waste conduit and the vacuum when the peripheral lipcontacts a skin surface.
 2. The device of claim 1, further comprising avalve positioned between the interior cavity of the cartridge and thefluid delivery conduit, said valve configured to control a flowrate of afluid from the interior cavity of the cartridge to the tip.
 3. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the handpiece assembly comprises anadjustable intermediate space positioned generally between the interiorcavity of the cartridge and the fluid delivery conduit.
 4. The device ofclaim 3, wherein a volume of the adjustable intermediate space can beselectively modified by moving an actuator on the handpiece assembly. 5.The device of claim 1, wherein the tip is selectively removable from thehandpiece assembly.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the abrasiveelement comprises a protruding member, a spiral ridge or an abrasivesurface.
 7. The device of claim 1, further comprising a heating element,said heating element configured to selectively heat a fluid beingconveyed through the at least one delivery conduit.
 8. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the cartridge comprises an inlet, said inlet configuredto be placed in fluid communication with a delivery source.
 9. A skintreatment system comprising: a handpiece assembly having a distal endand a proximal end, the handpiece assembly comprising a fluid deliveryconduit; wherein the handpiece assembly comprises a first portion and asecond portion, said first portion being selectively movable relative tothe second portion; a tip positioned on the distal end of the handpieceassembly, said tip configured to contact the skin; wherein the tipcomprises a first opening in fluid communication with the fluid deliveryconduit and an abrasive element; an intermediate space generally definedbetween the first and second portions of the handpiece assembly, saidintermediate space being in fluid communication with the fluid deliveryconduit; wherein movement of the first portion with respect to thesecond portion modifies the volume of the intermediate space andgenerally controls a flowrate of a fluid being conveyed through thefluid delivery conduit; and an actuator on the handpiece assembly formoving the first portion relative to the second portion.
 10. The systemof claim 9, wherein movement of the first portion with respect to thesecond portion is produced by rotating the second portion relative tothe first portion.
 11. The system of claim 9, wherein the tip isselectively removable from the second portion.
 12. The device of claim9, wherein the tip comprises a plurality of protruding membersconfigured to treat skin.
 13. The system of claim 9, wherein thehandpiece assembly further comprises a waste channel in fluidcommunication with a second opening in the tip.
 14. The system of claim9, wherein the handpiece assembly includes a recessed area configured toreceive a cartridge comprising at least one treatment fluid or material.15. The system of claim 14, wherein the cartridge includes an interiorportion at least partially defined by a membrane, the membrane beingconfigured to be pierced by a hollow spike of the first portion of thehandpiece assembly when the cartridge is properly inserted within therecessed area, wherein the hollow spike is in fluid communication withthe delivery channel.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the interiorportion of the cartridge comprises human growth factors, cytokines,soluble collagen, antioxidants, matrix proteins, brightening agents,lightening agents, peptides or acids.
 17. The system of claim 9, whereinthe handpiece assembly comprises a heater configured to selectively heata fluid being conveyed through the fluid delivery conduit toward thetip.
 18. A method of providing a treatment fluid to a skin surface whiletreating said skin surface with a handpiece device, the methodcomprising: providing at least one treatment material on or within ahandpiece device, said handpiece device comprising a main body portion;wherein a tip is configured to be removably positioned along a distalend of the main body portion of the handpiece assembly, said tip beingconfigured to abrade skin when moved relative to a skin surface; anddirecting a first fluid through a delivery passage of the handpieceassembly so that said delivery passage generally contacts the at leastone treatment material of the tip; wherein the at least one treatmentmaterial is configured to at least partially dissolve, dilute or combinewith the first fluid so as to create a desired treatment fluid; andwherein the treatment fluid is configured to be provided to the tip andto the skin surface being treated while a distal end of the tip is beingtranslated over said skin surface.
 19. The method of claim 18, whereinthe at least one treatment material comprises a solid, granularmaterial, gel or concentrated solution, and wherein the first fluidcomprises water or saline.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein thetreatment fluid comprises human growth factors, cytokines, solublecollagen, antioxidants, matrix proteins, brightening agents, lighteningagents, peptides or acids.
 21. The method of claim 18, wherein the atleast one treatment material is positioned in or near the tip.
 22. Themethod of claim 21, wherein the at least one treatment material issituation within a post or other recess of the tip.
 23. The method ofclaim 18, wherein the at least one treatment material comprises a disc,tablet or capsule.
 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the disc, tableor capsule is configured to be secured generally between the main bodyportion and the tip of the handpiece assembly.
 25. The method of claim18, further comprising regulating a flowrate of the first fluid byselectively controlling a valve on the handpiece assembly.
 26. Themethod of claim 18, further comprising selectively heating the firstfluid using a heating member positioned in thermal communication withthe delivery passage of the handpiece assembly.
 27. The method of claim18, wherein the treatment material is positioned within a cartridge,said cartridge being configured to be removably secured to a receivingarea of the handpiece assembly.